In sickness and in health....

I've had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And I've tasted my share
Of the sweet life
And the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough

I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you

I've seen just enough of the quick buys
Of the best lies
To know how broader goals can be drawn away

I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you

'Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
Compared to you
'Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
So I surrender all

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you
Filled with you
Empty me

That song, Empty Me by Chris Sligh, has been ringing in my head today. The lyrics are such a challenge to me and a reminder that the little things get in the way and cause me to lose my focus on the Lord. It has been my prayer that God would show me those things that get in the way of my relationship with Him, and then give me the strength to let go of them, so I can be emptied and filled with His sweet spirit.

Today and the last couple of days have shown me, once again, how easily I can stray and how much I rely on things of this world, when I should only rely on him. Even things that are good and natural to wish for - in particular good health - can shift my focus off of the surpassing greatness of the Lord and onto my own petty life.

Adrian has been sick the last few days, Ben is suffering from some kind of an itchiness that resulted in a huge, bloody spot on his shoulder (a hot spot) that makes him feel pretty crappy, and I had a migraine today, something that happens occasionally. All of these ailments, which are so minor in relation to the sickness of my heart, only drag me away from recognizing the goodness and grace found in Christ alone. I am coming to grips anew with the challenge: Is everything a lesser thing compared to Christ in my life? I'm ashamed to say it isn't.

I all-too-often place value on my sleep, my relationships, my health, my comfort, my self-esteem, my family...whatever, that isn't placed on the Lord. He alone is of surpassing value, and everything in my life is only in proper perspective when Christ is valued most highly.

Things get so out of whack when I take him off the "throne of my heart" and replace him with those lesser things. It's only when he has the proper place in my heart and in my life and in my thoughts that I will have a proper perspective on the value of other things in my life, which are all lesser compared to my Lord.