Oh My God.

This is a video of the Jars of Clay song, "Oh My God."  It's a song that always makes me think and one I think appropriate for this day of preparation as we begin our journey to the cross with Christ.  For me, this song is a prayer that encompasses the depth of one crying out to God.  I invite you to listen and let it speak to you.  I hope it is as powerful for you as it has been for me.  (This video isn't perfect....especially all the white-guy Jesus pics at the end - sorry about that!)

Here are the lyrics to the song:

Oh, my God, look around this placeYour fingers reach around the boneYou set the break and set the toneFlights of grace and future fallsIn present pain, all fools say, "Oh, my God"

Oh, my God, why are we so afraid?We make it worse when we don't bleedThere is no cure for our diseaseTurn a phrase and rise againOr fake your death and only tellYour closest friends, oh, my God

Oh, my God, can I complain?You take away my firm beliefAnd graft my soul upon your griefWeddings, boats and alibisAll drift away and a mother cries

Liars and fools, sons and failuresThieves will always sayLost and found, ailing wanderersHealers always say

Whores and angels, men with problemsLeavers always sayBroken hearted, separatedOrphans always say

War creators, racial hatersPreachers always sayDistant fathers, fallen warriorsGivers always say

Pilgrim saints, lonely widowsUsers always sayFearful mothers, watchful doubtersSaviors always say

Sometimes I can not forgiveThese days mercy cuts so deepIf the world was how it should beMaybe I could get some sleep

While I lay, I'd dream we're betterScales were gone and faces lighterWhen we wake, we hate our brotherWe still move to hurt each other

Sometimes I can close my eyesAnd all the fear that keeps me silentFalls below my heavy breathingWhat makes me so badly bent?

We all have a chance to murderWe all have the need for wonderWe still want to be remindedThat the pain is worth the plunder

Sometimes when I lose my gripI wonder what to make of HeavenAll the times I thought to reach upAll the times I had to give up

Babies underneath their bedsHospitals that cannot treat themAll the wounds that money causesAll the comforts of cathedrals

All the cries of thirsty childrenThis is our inheritanceAll the rage of watching mothersThis is our greatest offense

Oh, my GodOh, my GodOh, my God

How will you take this journey with Christ?  Will you attend a worship service tomorrow in remembrance of the last supper of  Christ?  Might your feet be washed by another, as you recognize the vulnerability those disciples must have felt as Jesus knelt before them?

With so much going on in the world today my prayer is that we never cease to cry out to our God on behalf of those whose voices are silent.  At the same time tonight I pray that we might be reassured that God hears the cries of the oppressed, and works to set all captives free.

Prayer:
Oh my God, as we reflect on the things of the world that have a hold on us I pray you would free us.  As we come to terms with your sacrifice for us help us to realize the significance it has for all people.  Strengthen us to be like Christ in our words, thoughts, and actions.  Amen.