Stolen My Heart?

“You’ve stolen my heart,
Yes, You have.
You’ve stolen my heart,
Yes, You have.
You’ve wiped away the stains,
And broke away the chains,
Yes, You have.”
-Leeland

When I first heard this song, I began to ask questions about it lyrically and theologically. For example, is it possible for God to “steal”? Is this really the best description of the work of God in a person’s life…you know, to steal a heart? Does God come and “take” a person or is it that God draws them? Is this a theologically sound lyric or is it careless language that will incorrectly communicate the work of Christ?

Then, I stopped myself. You see, I now had to wrestle with another conflicting thought. Had I become so sensitive to language that I could no longer see the beauty in hyperbole or metaphor? Had I forgotten or even possibly abandoned the romantic use of language? Had I become afraid to paint pictures or turn artful phrases in communicating God’s beauty? Had I devalued or even left no room for “poetic license” in the role of art that reflects the Creator?

So I thought about one of the most prolific artists whose work fills the pages of Scripture, King David. In Psalm 42 did David’s soul truly pant and thirst (Psalm 42:1-2)? Or was he trying to capture a longing that was difficult to convey without using the creative brush strokes of language? Or must I believe he was truly eating his tears as “food day and night” (Psalm 42:3)?

And so I have come to the conclusion that I need to lighten up a little bit. I think I need to be more gracious in allowing artistry to speak with passion and poetry a little bit more, both by others and myself. There is a distinct difference between communicating untruth and representing the beauty of God’s grand story and our individual stories poetically. Our imaginations need this kindling if we are truly to find meaning in Truth. And so I need to re-imagine (carefully and responsibly, of course) my own story and God’s truth with fresh, creative, artistic eyes, ears and words. “Stolen my heart”? Yes, in a beautiful way…I think He has.

Hannah’s Surgery (#2)

I am sitting in Hannah’s hospital room watching her sleep.  This is an all too familiar place as her last surgery took place here just a little over five years ago.  The rooms look the same, the furniture in the rooms, etc.  But this is a fantastic hospital and she is being taken care of very well.

She is experiencing pain, but she has that trusty pain button to keep it at a manageable level.  Her surgery went well (they worked on three separate parts of each leg).  Right now, our expectation is that Hannah will be able to come home tomorrow (Thursday, May 15) and will need to get around with the help of crutches the next few weeks.  For those of you who remember Hannah after the last surgery, THIS time there are no casts.  The work that was done this time around is more of a long term project that should help correct her leg growth issues over the next two years.  Her body now needs to deal with healing six separate incisions and becoming acclimated to having some new hardware around her knees and ankles to assist the growth process.  She also had some of her old hardware removed (it was no longer necessary and was beginning to bother her) and that part of bone will need to fill in the missing screw holes.

All in all, things are at a pause as Hannah rests.  Thank you SO much for your prayers and concern, your gifts, meals, phone calls, and emails are all a humbling reminder of how much we are loved and how it is that God cares for His people through one another.

Ah…her eyes open and she smiles.  Gotta go.

retreat

I’ve been taking a bit of a personal retreat this week.  There are moments that seem to be fueled with inspiration and others with lethargy.  However, I feel like this has been important for me.  In my responsibilities as the worship pastor at Christ Community, I’ve been reminded by those around me that there is a cadence or rhythm of engagement AND withdrawal.  And though most people see withdrawal as “vacation time”, I believe there is great value in retreating to advance in my work.  The margin that I was able to create this week has allowed me to begin addressing thoughts and actions for weeks and months to come because I took just a little time to focus on thinking about things around me and ahead of me.  Believe me, there were still things to accomplish this week and I still have to lead on Sunday, but I am thankful for this time and the regeneration it has brought.

Kim Walker is an intriguing cross between artist and worship leader.  This video really grabbed me and I have been recently caught up in the idea of how He loves us.  I love the lyric “Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss.”