Chasing The Wind

We make so many commitments.
We set so many goals.
We make promises and vows.
We declare and confess our love.
We pledge "From here on out, I'll be different, I'll change."
And for a while we do.
We stood strong in our devotion.
We took up our cross and followed You with determination.
We even went on further to make progress and growth.
But what about the next day?

Soon after we find ourselves betraying the very One we said we'd love.
We like sheep have gone astray,
We hide in our shame and sit paralyzed in our guilt.
We have blinded ourselves in darkness.
We have trapped ourselves in fear.
We deceive others by putting on a mask,
And pretend that everything is okay.We then conceal our sins like sweeping dust under the carpet.

Some of us have withered because we took no root.
Many of us have been choked up by thorns.
Others have become dry and scorched by the sun.
At one time we used to stand in awe.
At one time we used to stand amazed.
At one time our hearts used to burn with great passion.
But the compromises kept knocking.
The competition for our heart never seemed to cease.
And it's impossible for us to serve two masters.

So quickly have we lost our hope.
So quickly have we let our guard down.
So quickly have we turned from Your grace.
Why do we so often go off in the opposite direction?
You'd think we would have learned by now.

Throughout our day we set our eyes on carnal lusts.
We have allowed the world to seep through and take hold of our minds.
How easily are we entertained and captured by pettiness.
How foolishly do we seek the approval of others.
We like the attention on ourselves.
But again we say "No, problem i got 'em. I know what I'm doing."
And slowly begin to plant our feet into the sand.
Where we are so easily shaken.

And why do we chase after the wind,
When nothing is ever new under the sun?
Why do we continue to dig for shiny gems,
When we have already found our greatest treasure?
Is the treasure hidden in the field not worth selling everything for?
Then why do we get caught in between?

We profess "Surely, I will never disown you."
And even before the next day, we find ourselves drawing short.
Why do we settle for these temporal pleasures over our deepest joy?
Is He not worthy and enough to satisfy?
Is He not worthy to endure suffering for?
Is He not worthy to lay down our life for?

Even after encountering the Author of Life,
The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End,
How bizarre is it that we still continue to pursue our own objectives.
Who's glory we're we supposed to be living for?
Why have we exchanged the glory of God for worthless idols?
Why do we seek after broken cisterns that can never hold water,
When You say that You are the living water and eternal spring of life?

What do we think about most?
What do we desire most?
What do we spend most of our time doing?
What are we investing into?
What motivates us?
What is it that we so dearly cherish?
Where do we seek our happiness?
Where have we placed our security?
For there is our God.

Why store our treasures on earth where moth and rust will destroy?
Why cling to valuables that are perishable and will one day fade away?
For where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.

We used to sing sweet songs of praise.
We used to worship You in our utmost highest.
We surrendered our hearts and died to ourselves.
But then why do we go running back to our old ways?
If we have been crucified with You, then why still live for ourselves?
Have we become idle in our selfishness?

Have we forgotten the One who has delivered us out from sin?
Have we forgotten the Almighty Source of comfort, peace and joy?
How easily do we forget of the One who loves us.
How easily do we get distracted from our heart's desire.
How easily it is for us to complain and worry about our troubles.
But who is it that stands unshaken when all else fails?
Who remains faithful and endures to the very end?
Who's footprints keep going when all other paths disappear?

Often without even realizing it,
We stand in rebellion against God and indulge in our disobedience.
We fall short everyday by serving our idols, and worshiping ourselves.
We begin to blend in and look exactly like ordinary people of the world.
But since when did settling for mediocrity and a safe life become the goal?
Why do we settle for just getting by?
How far does Christianity lite take us?
Shouldn't we give You our all and our best?
After all it was You who laid down Your entire life for us,
And You who suffered for our sins on that cross.

God doesn't care if we dress nice for church.
God doesn't want just people who go through the routine.
"But I said a prayer before, I took communion and was baptized!
I have good morals and even gave money to charity!"
Even if we had all the spiritual gifts, but have not loved,
We gain nothing, and do not truly know you.
You have only been concerned with our hearts.
You desire nothing else but for Your children to come sit at Your feet

Anyone can claim a religious status.
Who wouldn't want salvation, blessings and heaven?
Everyone wants a Savior, but not everyone wants a God.
Everyone wants to accept a gift, but not everyone wants to surrender.
Once persecution, storms or suffering arise we are so quick to abandon
I'm sure our perseverance has often been quite embarrassing.
What happened to our deep faith, our trust, our love?

Our commitment often goes until there's a cost of discipleship.
"What I have to lose my life to save it? What I have to be a servant?"
To what extent are we willing to follow Jesus?
How much suffering will I endure for the cross?
How serious do I want to take my walk?
How close to Jesus do I want to be?

We who were created have become foolishly prideful.
As Your enemies we hated righteousness, justice and Your Word.
We have refused your discipline and ignored your rebuke.
You call on us to repent and believe,
For You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
You warn and cry out to turn from our evil ways.
You have been patient and full of grace.
You have sent countless prophets and leaders.
You have even sent Your only Son as a Messenger and Savior.
And yet it was our very own sin that nailed Him to the cross.

But it was You who drank the cup of suffering.
It was You who endured the cross for the joy set before you.
It was You who paid the propitiation.
It was You who took the wrath upon Yourself.
And You who had no sin, became sin for us.
So that we might become the righteousness of God.
You bore our guilt and our shame,
just so we could stand before the Almighty God.
You offered us forgiveness, reconciliation and new life.
And it is You who rose again from the grave
And You who reigns forever in the highest glory.
And it is You who says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
And "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

How sweet are Your words?
How pure and holy are Your ways?
Give us a taste of Your love.
Give us a compassion for those that are lost.
Give us a glimpse of You standing transfigured before Your throne.
Show us the full and mighty power of Your Spirit.
Help us to love You back for our hearts easily grow dull.
Direct us on Your path of righteousness and remind us of Your salvation

You work all things for the good of those who love You.
Let us place our trust in You.
Let us eagerly wait upon You.
And set our minds on things above.
Synchronize our heartbeat to Your perfect will.
Conform our desires and grow us into the likeness of Your Son.
May we no longer be a slave to sin.
Break off our chains of guilt, shame and regret.
Push us forward into a deeper walk.
Grow us into obedient children, becoming mature and bold in faith.
And may we find delight in Your way, truth and life.

Train us to have a heart of worship.
Forgive our sin, and heal our land, O Sovereign God.
Let the nations know that You are coming.
Let the people know of Your true supremacy.
Redeem Your lost. Rescue Your children. Rise up leaders.
Speak to our hearts. Transform our lives.
And may the Lamb of God receive the reward of His suffering.

How far does our own strength and wisdom take us?
Who can save himself?
How little do we seem in the hands of the most infinite God.
When the mountains and oceans act in glorious obedience.
We turn back and say "No!"
We have lost our capacity to even know how deep our betrayal is.
We no longer stop to appreciate the newly painted sky.
We have become so adapted to this life,
That it has become inconceivable to us that there is anything better.

How many times have we missed a moment of fellowship with You?
How many more times will we pass another opportunity?
How many times have we broken Your heart O Lord?
How many times have we disgraced Your Name?
When was the last time we cried out "Abba, Father!"
When was the last time we sat down to meet with You?

We have so easily been entangled by the craftiness of men.
And fallen into this pit of despair.
Where we can no longer see the way out.
Where we can no longer see how far we have gone from You,
But You came running after us.
And as a Father, You took hold of us and placed us upon Your lap
So therefore let us no longer be infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves.
But let us stand firm upon Your solid cornerstone,
And rejoice in Your redemption

But even in our sin and failures
You unconditionally love us.
It is because of Your wonderful love,
that You have set us free.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For Your love is better than life.
And Your grace is more than sufficient for all my needs.

Rekindle our first love, O God.
May we find rest in You and comfort in Your voice.
And even though we may run astray a thousand times,
You relentlessly come chasing after us,
and tightly squeeze us in Your arms and You say "Mine!"
For no matter how far we go,
You always draw us back to you.