Count Me In

           Count Me In

What could the Lord be asking you to count Him in?

“I love the LORD because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

It is a deep understanding to know what Jesus has done for us. All that he endured even up to his death on a cross was for you and me. As he led his disciples and they stayed close to him they couldn’t quite grasp the understanding of what was to come. I used to hear we do because of what Jesus did for us but never quite understood that until that day he chose me. Chose me despite the mess I was in. Chose me even when I turned away from him and denied his ways and chose my own. The Living God stepped into a human to live among us to show us Jesus is worth the choice to live for. And just like back in the Old Testament the message of God’s relentless love never once changed but Jesus coming made all the difference. The spotless sinless man chose us..

“Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:25-26

Sitting with his disciples this was the First Lord’s  supper. Something we do regularly and hearing this scripture so often something jumped off the page today. The Bible says, “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” They sang a hymn. Jesus praised the Lord even knowing what was to come. Even looking into this further what they sang. It was what they sang before every passover. He sang Psalm 118. As I read Psalm 118 these verses stood out. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. “Let those who fear the LORD say, “His faithful love endures forever.” He sang praises in what was to come. We can do the same. 

Trusting in Jesus is a heart posture that says, “Count me in no matter the cost.” And I wish that I could tell you it was an open handed up in the air posture but a lot of times it is hands clasped to heart eyes tightly closed remembrance. I wish I could tell you trusting the Lord gets easier all the time. It isn’t always the case. The remembrance to trust even when it is incredibly difficult is recalling what he did so that I can know that he is always with me. That no matter what happens Jesus will always choose to stay in it with me. And worship can occur because His faithful love endures forever. 

So what could God be asking me to surrender so I could receive the heart posture of counting Him in ALL of it? 

Father,

Living God is a word that continues to resonate within my heart and mind. You meet us right where we are. You look for hearts that are ready and willing to be counted in. Count us in. It is for your glory Jesus. It is so others can know what it means to be loved by you. Even when it hard to see beyond what we can remind us that is the reason to keep trusting. You are faithful. Recall to mind those times of faithfulness within our lives. You chose us Jesus so we choose you.

Amen