It is always interesting to me how the theme we are studying at Fellowship ties to the stuff that is happening in our community. This last month or so has been a stretching one for me and for our community as many tough things have happened among us and among those tied to us relationally.
At the same time we are studying the Kenosis, the voluntary emptying taken on by Christ in the incarnation. The “emptying” is actually summed up the taking on of the additional nature of humanity and along with it the giving up of the independent and continuous use of all that his deity would afford Him. Only by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to accomplish the will of the Father would He rely on his divine nature.
All of this was put into place that He might be the humble servant, redeemer and mediator that we so desperately needed, and for all this we are told that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow and tongue confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of the Father.
With all that has happened over the last few months I have to rest in the fact that this perfect God-man has the world in His hands and I can trust Him.
One of my favorite songs over the last year or so has been “Farther Along” by Josh Garrels a good old Portland boy. The song says that Life does not make sense but “farther along” the journey we shall see more clearly, but for now we trust in the Lord and trust that all things will bring glory to God the Father through Jesus Christ. Here video of the song and the words from the song are below. I hope you enjoy.
Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
So, cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves ’em both
We’re all cast-aways in need of rope
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen
Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates
Leading mice and men down to their fates
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin’ that line back home
So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
Wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright
Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
So, cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on
Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levees and my bluffs
Let the flood wash me
And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
‘Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the Son of God is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon
Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
So, cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
