This next Album series is based on verses from the holy scripture that have been substantial to my soul. These verses are like big, giant hand holds on the rock climb of life. This song is based on Deuteronomy 6:4 - 5 which states "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." and of course Jesus Mark chapter 12:30-31 when Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, he made it very simple saying “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Jesus added mind and then also added “The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
In a world where having your personal brand statement on LinkedIn is important or as the business leader Simon Sinek calls it your why and others call it your "Purpose" for believers Jesus makes it real simple. Love God with your whole being. That's it. Everything else we do flows from this place. How you live, how you work, go about your business, your day to day. The decisions you make and the life you lead comes from this place.
Rivers are huge. They're powerful and typically lead into the ocean and before they hit the ocean they're complex and in some cases mix with the salt water and have a mix of river and ocean life. Near where I live we have the Chesapeake Bay sits off to the east and has 4 huge rivers that pour into it. The Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James rivers but these rivers all start with headwaters and a river's headwaters can be made up of thousands of small streams that flow together, or they can just stem a trickle from a lake or pond somewhere up hill or in a mountain.
These two verses are the headwaters of what makes up life for us. It's simple but somewhere along the way we make complex because life just fills it up with stuff our own sin makes it salty and bitter. So, as I was thinking about his I was also inspired by the Confession of Sin that comes from the Book of Common Prayer because apart from Jesus it's impossible to live our divine purpose perfectly. We need the Spirit of GOD the very Spirit of Jesus to fill us up and breath life into us and be that river of life to fill us up.
So, lament your sin, your broken sinful flesh. Repent and seek Jesus to be your life, your purpose. You and I are no longer orphans, no longer prodigal sons but we are now sons of God.
Written, recorded and performed by Gordon Collier
