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Never stop being amazed by what Jesus can do

The Art of Worship- Hunter Thompson from Bethel

Sometimes its more powerful for music from the soul to speak than mere words

This is a song performed by the worship team at Bethel Church in Redding California.

Intimately Intimate

As I stared across the table at the brilliantly flashing green ocean of eyes that stared back at me I realized something: I would die for her. Yes, after three wonderful years of dating the most powerfully graceful woman who has walked this earth, I fully believe if a situation would ever arise I would do what most boys dream of; throw myself in front of the girl.

As we sat across from each other at dinner one night, I mulled this over and over. Why would I die for her? What has caused me to care more for her sake than my own? I realized in that moment it’s because not only do I know her, but I know her. I know more than just her birthday, favorite colors, and what foods she likes. I know more than facts about her. Instead, I know things about her that only time and intimacy can reveal. I know when she is likely to be in need of an encouragement, despite whether she says it or not. I know when I need to shut up and listen to her thoughts. I know her, because after 3 years of dating, I’ve had the chance to know her intimately. 

And this my friends is a game changer.

If you are going to be so bold as to claim that you will die for the sake of someone you hold dear you better be able to withstand the reverberations. For almost as soon as I came to the conclusion that I would die for Julie, I was slammed by a tidal wave of conviction, and I was slammed hard.

If I’m willing to die for the sake of Julie, why am I so prone to avoid even letting the name of Jesus escape my lips to random strangers?

I mention Julie all of the time. If you are a close friend of mine you know this. If you are a family member of mine you know this. If you are a random stranger and I manage to strike up a conversation with you know this. I jump at the chance to talk about Julie, to flaunt her, to show her off so to speak to random strangers because she is such a large part of my life and is such an amazing woman to behold. Everyone “deserves” the chance to know her. Now on the other hand, if you are a close friend or family member of mine then you know that I am passionate about Jesus. If you are a random stranger, sometimes you may not even know that I am a Christian (unless you count the James Avery ring as evidence).

Why am I so willing to die for her, but so unwillingly to even mention Him?

I must admit that I don’t know the answer to this. For perhaps the first time in my life I’m speechless.

All I can say is maybe I don’t know Jesus.

Maybe I’ve spent more time learning about Him than looking across the table at Him?

Maybe intimacy still needs to be built even more.

Maybe we don’t quite know Jesus as well as we think.

I look forward to the adventure that lies in learning what His heart beats for.

Merely,

Chris Gerac

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3, ESV