This past Sunday we sang a song called "Graves into Gardens" at our Baptism Service. We selected the song because of how it illustrates the change in the life of believers. Whether our story starts with knowing Jesus from the time we could speak or we lived years without knowing or caring about Him, we've all experienced the emptiness of looking for our identity and fulfillment apart from Jesus. What the world provides is never enough. What Jesus offers never runs out.
The song builds to a bridge out of Isaiah 61:1-4 that illustrates the transformation that takes place when we place our faith in Jesus:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
Our stories of faith are powerful. That's why we celebrate them at our baptism services. We have an important message to share, because Jesus replaces our brokenness with His peace, and joy, and wholeness. This week, look for opportunities to share pieces of your story with others. There is nothing better than knowing Jesus.
"Graves into Gardens"
I searched the world
But it couldn't fill me
Man's empty praise and treasures that fade
Are never enough
Then You came along
And put me back together
And every desire is now satisfied
Here in Your love
Oh, there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord, there's nothing
Nothing is better than You
I'm not afraid
To show You my weakness
My failures and flaws, Lord, You've seen them all
And You still call me friend
'Cause the God of the mountain
Is the God of the valley
There's not a place Your mercy and grace
Won't find me again
You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can
You turn graves into garden
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can