Worship and Nap Time

Have you ever been with a child who desperately needs a nap? What might have been the slightest annoyance is now the end of the world. Tantrums. Screaming. The things once beloved are now terrible. The world is out to get you. Nothing is fair. Nothing can solve this except a nap.

I was thinking about this today as I sat in church feeling so filled up. I often feel like that tantrum-throwing child in my day-to-day life. I don't throw myself down on the floor and scream, but sometimes I feel like doing that. I snap at people. I feel tired and overworked and under-appreciated. Nothing satisfies me. And then I come to church and think, "Oh duh, of course! What I really needed was to worship Christ, to hear God's word, to be with other believers who are also trying to follow God, those who set an example for me in how to live in between Sundays. Of course nothing else would satisfy me or give me this feeling of sweet rest."

I love my church. It allows me to meet with God and be refreshed. I feel really privileged to be in a church that does that. I need to be more conscientious about spending time in worship during the week to avoid all these adult-tantrums!

This is the song that was being sung as I walked into church my very first visit there. I had never heard the song before, and I found that the words stop me in my tracks. We haven't sung it in a long time, but today, just when I needed to hear these sweet words again, it showed up.

(Note: This is not my church in the video.)

All I Have Is Christ


I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin