Hallelujah! All We Have Is Christ!

This Saturday marks 4 years of Gavin and I being married.  Part of me can’t believe that the time has gone so fast, but the other part of me, when sitting down to catalogue the time, is am amazed at how full the years have been. There have been many opportunities to trust God during that time, many refining moments, truckloads of blessing, hours of laughter, and our share of tears, fears and worry. If there is one thing that has held our marriage firm, provided hope, wisdom, peace and endurance it is Christ. 

There is not one thing in our marriage or home that would have structure if it was not for Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, The Bible, and an overall plea of faithful worship of God. The roles that Gavin and I have, our relationship to our kids, how we spend money, how we talk and interact, how we spend our time, and what we think about is all rooted in a desire to enjoy God and worship Him forever. We fall short… Well, I fall short. Gavin is amazing, steadfast, discerning, and has integrity. Every part of his being is committed to life with Christ, our marriage and kids. For me it seems like every moment, I am checking my heart, confessing, repenting, reminding, redoing, wash, rinse, repeat. All. Day. Long. Still God is faithful to bring about the good works which He predestined for me to do. Ephesians 2 brings hope to a weary and wandering heart. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” My mind quickly strays, my heart is easily tempted and swayed, my mouth lacks self control, and the list goes on. I am constantly reminded that on my own I am far from Christ. My flesh is constantly tempting, swaying, questioning, hopeless, and lazy. It’s a rough life over here in my heart guys! All of those pull me into the depth of the grave and separate my heart from Christ. Ephesians 2:13 reminds me that “now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

But Hallelujah, all I have is Christ! He looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross. And as the song continues,”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.” Amen! Any success, kindness, perseverance, anything good, honoring to God, life giving or profitable is from God, through Christ and prompted by the Spirit. It is true that I really can’t do this on my own. Anything loving that I say to Gavin or that promotes our marriage or anything that I say that trains my child and pricks their heart is only from the Lord. It is rooted in scripture and spoken in truth. The end goal of parenting, marriage and life is to worship and bring glory to God, encouraging those around us to do the same, not in our own strength but having our life be lived so that all may see that the strength to follow His commands can only come from Him. 

So 4 years into marriage there is HOPE that we have everything we need to continue and grow. The traditional gift for 4 years is fruit and flowers, to symbolize Hope and Fertility. I can say that in just a few short years, we are overflowing with both, all glory be to God. All we have is Christ and Christ is all we need. 

Watch the video  or the song All I Have Is Christ and be encouraged that while we are helpless we are not hopeless. 

VERSE 1
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

VERSE 2
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

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

VERSE 3
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