I love music. I love lyrics. I really dig lyrics with meaning.
So, when I was listening to Hillsong United’s “Oceans” recently I found myself focusing very carefully on the words in the song. It was a “cry of my heart” and I found myself crying out to God. In that moment of utter desire to be what the song said, I tweeted a few of the lyrics. Except. I tweeted them wrong. This is what I wrote:
“Spirit lead me when my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters.
Wherever You may lead me.”
The actual lyrics are as follows:
“Spirit lead me when my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters.
Wherever You may call me.”
Possibly you look at this and think, “What’s the big deal? Everything’s correct except one word.” You are right! It was late when I posted the tweet and when I discovered the error, I thought to myself, “Well, I was pretty close.” Close enough, right?
“Wrong”. God said.
Both the word I used and the word that is correct are good words. We NEED to be led by God. The world is doing way too much leading in incorrect ways and too many Christians are being swayed, sometimes without realizing it. That’s an entirely different topic for a different time.
Here’s the issue: Lead vs. Call
Do you understand a calling? You don’t need to be led to a call. You need to respond to a call. Everyone is called for a purpose. God has an assignment for you, and it is actually violating His purpose for your life by avoiding that calling.
I once remember an assistant pastor at my church saying “If God has called you to do something and you’re not doing it, then you’re sinning. I am called to write music,” he went on to say. “And if I decide I don’t want to do it, I am telling God I’m going to refuse the task He has designed me to accomplish.” This is so much more than being led by God (which is SO important.) This is doing what God put you on this earth to do.
Calls aren’t always easy. I recently read a newspaper article about a couple in my town celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Almost 40 years ago they’d moved to accept a job, despite having no car and no home. They felt God was calling them. They trusted. God came through.
I can remember when I quit my reliable job as a television news anchor to follow what I believed was my calling to be a stay at home mom. There were some really tense times regarding paying the bills, but looking back, we have never paid a mortgage payment late and there’s always been food in the cupboards. God came through.
God calls. And God comes through. Have you ever spent much time thinking about God’s calling on your life? He created you for a purpose, but it’s up to you to accept and pursue it.
Lead vs. Call
How does life change when you’re not just following a leader, but you are following a calling? Imagine the results when you decide to make every decision in your life based on God’s call, God’s plan, God’s reason for you to be here. It might mean a new level of trust. But it will also mean a new level faith. And, it is a chance for God to finally show you how He really intends to carry you through every need.
The verse of the Hillsong Live “Oceans” song isn’t the only one worth sending out on Twitter and other social networks. Here’s a link to a lyric video, as well as all of the lyrics. I pray that you not only hear God’s calling, but you desire to pursue it- and that you don’t see “big or small calls” but know that God’s call for you is crucial to carry out His ministry.
May you truly be LED by God so you can 100% hear His calling and dive into being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. Read more thoughts just like this one by following me on Twitter @jenbeck44 or on Facebook: Jennifer Beck.
-Written by Jennifer Beck, Faith & Friends TV Producer and Co-Host
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]
I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
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