PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO FIRST!
Don't read this post until you've watched and fully "listened to it" without distractions, to the words in the video. Matter of fact, listen to the words and watch the video TWICE. Please! I'm serious.
When I first heard this song when the cd came out a few months ago, it was an instant classic. The ending, when the choir is yelling "GONE! IT'S ALL GONE!" still gives me chills. I don't know when I'll get to the point in my walk where I feel even the slightest bit worthy of the love God has shown to me. I don't know when I'll finally forgive myself of my past. I know God has done it. I know Jesus died on the cross for me. That He would do it again if I was the only person alive. This song is MY song, that helps me remind myself. It gives me a glimpse of how I CAN have freedom of the chains that I can't seem to let go of. God's broken them, but I keep holding onto them. I can't grasp how powerful that is and let it overcome my thoughts of how could God want me.
The lyrics are so powerful in this song, and if you truly listened, you know what I'm saying. I thank God every day for what He's blessed me with. My family, my wife, my children, a dream house, my amazing job I have now, etc...but I just feel so unworthy. I don't know if God keeps me feeling the way I do so that I stay humble, like how John prayed for God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but never did. I don't know. This song touches my heart, though. It touches my heart. It's totally what I feel. I know it's all there, and it's GONE, but I can't forgive myself. When I decided to put this video on my blog, I sat and listened to it over and over, and it's been going on in the background since I started as well. It's probably played ten times. Every time I hear it, I feel my grip on those old chains loosening more and more...
Sit down, people.
Think about it for a minute.
Get away from any distractions.
Think about Jesus.
Think about how He wiped away your past with what He did on the cross. He did that for YOU!
He loves you THAT much!
It's ALL gone, people!
WE'RE the ones holding onto the past, and not forgiving ourselves or others.
We think the bad stuff, or the inconveniences that happen in our lives now are because of our past. How we're not worthy of anything good. How the stuff that frustrates us, makes us upset or mad, is all because we don't deserve anything good.
But listen to what the song says...
"Imagine me, being free,
trusting You totally,
finally I can imagine me,
I admit it was hard to see you being in love with someone like me,
finally I can imagine me."
And then when Kirk starts in...
"This song is dedicated to people like me...
Those that struggle with insecurities...
Acceptance...
And even self esteem...
You never felt pretty enough...
You never felt good enough...
But imagine God whispering in your ear...
Letting you know that EVERYTHING that has happened in the past.....is now.....GONE!
Every sin...GONE!
Every mistake...GONE!
Every failure...GONE!
Depression...GONE!
By faith they're...GONE!
Low self esteem...GONE!
It's Gone!
All my scars...GONE!
All my pain...GONE!
It's in the past...GONE!
It's yesterday...GONE!
What your mother did...GONE!
What your father did...GONE!
GONE! ALLLL GONE!
Now if you feel anything through this post, and that video has touched you in any way...watch it again. If you feel timid and can't relax with people around you, then watch it by yourself. Turn up the volume. When it gets to the part at the end, put your arms up, lift them to Heaven, speak the words, feel the words, feel God's love peace coming into you, forgiving you when you can't feel the forgiveness from yourself. Let the tears flow if they come. It's okay. He loves you!
It's all GONE, people...all of it!
Father, I want to thank you for loving me. Thank you for Kirk Franklin, and the ministry his music has brought to my soul. Thank you for Stan, for introducing me to Kirk Franklin's music years ago. It's brought me a mighty long way.
God bless you all this weekend. May you experience God's peace.
E
2 comments:
You really should have seen the special BET had about this video/song on "Lift Every Voice". Set it for DVR and I'm sure they'll play it again...
He was saying it took him years to actually write the song. When he finally finished it, he played it for his wife and she was in tears. He couldn't figure out why and she said "You don't get it, do you?" and he conceded that maybe it wasn't for him to get. Powerful stuff..you need to check it out...
The secret to forgiveness is not just asking God to forgive you. The "real" part is the act of "receiving" that forgiveness. That's where I feel people really miss out. Pray that God would show you how to receive the forgiveness that He offers.
Love,
Mom
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