Fourth Week of Lent – Reflection by Melody Clarke, Learning & Development Officer
What A God – SEU worship
I wonder if there is a song that moves you to tears each time you hear it? It might be a song linked to a memory of a loved one or a special life event. It could be sheer appreciation of talent (think Celine Dion hitting those high notes!) or a beautiful melody. It is perhaps a deep resonance with the lyrics and the truths they convey.
For me ‘What A God’ is this song. Each time we sing it at church you can find me standing somewhere with my arms outstretched and tears rolling down my face!
This song, although not strictly an Easter song, has a deep resonance with themes I associate strongly with Lent – themes of journeying, devotion and gratitude.
This song, with its wonderfully uncomplex lyrics, reminds me of the journey of a disciple. I have sat with many new believers who have voiced the same questions that we sing in first couple of verses: “Who thought I’d find you at my lowest place? Who thought you’d feel me in the crowd?”. Thoughts of insignificance, of worthlessness, of ‘why would God want me?”.
As we journey through the song we rejoice that God seeks the lost, and proclaim there is redemption and forgiveness for all people.
For me, the wonder of this is highlighted in the chorus, which simply declares “What a God. What a God”.
Then we journey to the point of deep discipleship, of living life devoted to Christ. We sing:
“If the highest place I reach is at your feet, then I’ve done it all.
If the best thing that I’ve seen is your glory, then I’ve seen it all.
If one word is the only word you speak, then I’ve heard it all.
If I feel your heart but never see your hand, I still have it all.”
I find these lyrics equal parts inspiring and challenging. There is something so humbling in singing of our total satisfaction in God. In declaring there is no other treasure in life that will ever satisfy us the way our souls are satisfied in the presence of our God.
This song is my accompanier as I journey through Lent with an increased awareness of gratitude and devotion. I’m continually rediscovering afresh the wonders of God, how God take us as we are, shapes us and satisfies us. It reminds me of my own journey of knowing Christ, and I reflect on where I’ve come from to where I am now. All thanks to the goodness and kindness of God. What a God, what a God!
Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for the journey you took to the cross. I thank you for being our faithful accompanier and guide, molding and shaping us, tending and comforting us, choosing and loving us. Open our hearts this Lent to new depths of devotion and allow us to see your beauty and holiness. Amen.