February 2, 2006

BraveNicole Nordeman
The gate is wideThe road is paved in moderationThe crowd is kind and quick to pull you inWelcome to the middle groundYou're safe and sound andUntil now it's where I've been'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everythingBut it's been love, Your love, that cuts the stringsSo long status quoI think I just let goYou make me want to be braveThe way it always was Is no longer good enoughYou make me want to be braveBrave, braveI am smallAnd I speak when I'm spoken toBut I am willing to risk it allI say Your nameJust Your name and I'm ready to jumpEven ready to fall...Why did I take this vow of compromise?Why did I try to keep it all inside?So long status quoI think I just let goYou make me want to be braveThe way it always was Is no longer good enoughYou make me want to be braveBrave, braveI've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flameEvery storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in meThat changes everything
So long, I'm goneSo long status quoI think I just let goYou make me want to be braveI wanna be braveThe way it always was Is no longer good enoughYou make me want to be braveBrave, brave

What I set out in bold is what really stands out for me in this song. It's easy, at least it has been for me, to think that being a Christian is complicated. That true spirituality is complicated. That to be sure of your "Christian-ness" you have to be doing the right things, know the Bible inside and out, know exactly what everyone you've ever met needs prayer for and make sure you don't forget to include them in prayer.
But what does it all come back to, and where does it all start? It's NOTHING without Jesus. He's our only assurance of salvation!!
If we believe in Him, that changes everything.
You know why sometimes those of us who grew up in Christian homes, who really didn't have this "amazing" or "exciting" story of coming to Christ, think that maybe we really aren't as Christian as those who did (or maybe its just me)? I think it's because it's a lot easier for us to forget how simple the whole matter is.
1 John 2:23
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; just as the one who confesses the Son has the Father.
1 John 3:23
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.