Without God
We're listening to a new song of mine called Majesty and Mercy. The pre-chorus goes like this:
Lord without your love washing over me where would I be?
And without your grace poured out for me I'd be history
What God's Grace Has Given Us
As I was writing this song it struck me afresh that without His love, and without His grace, I would be so lost! I shudder to think where I would have ended up without God in my life.
It is God who has given me ultimate peace in my heart! Knowing that I am forgiven of my past sins, and freed from the power of sin now, has given me tremendous peace that nothing else could.
It is God who has given me ultimate purpose in my daily life! Whatever I do - whether it relates to church or not - is an offering to God. If I was just living for myself, and not Him, that would be an empty existence indeed.
It is God who has given me ultimate joy! Other things which I enjoy fade away. But when I turn to God Himself for a sense of joy and fulfilment, I find something far deeper than anything the world has to offer.
It is God who has blessed me with many wonderful gifts - a family of my own, a church family, a home and the means to enjoy life. He did that. I am humbly grateful.
The Emptiness of Life Apart From God
Recently I read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, which contains the words of King Solomon at the end of his life, having rejected God's ways. The book is very sad, because Solomon feels hopeless about everything. He keeps saying "meaningless, meaningless!"
This is what happens when you stop embracing God in your life - when you start living apart from Him. It all becomes meaningless.
But when you live with a deep connection to God, and a deep sense of amazement at His love and grace, it all comes together. It doesn't solve everything, or answer everything, but it brings that peace, purpose, joy, and gratitude that makes life full.
Don't go on without Him. It's not worth it!
Life without God leads to emptiness, but a life lived in connection with Him brings peace, purpose, joy, and gratitude. Ask yourself today whether you are truly living in deep reliance on Him.