So Far as the East is From the West

Last evening, I attended a Casting Crowns concert; and while I knew that concert was going to be amazing, I didn't quite expect that it would turn out to be as amazing as it was. So many things talked (and sang) about were things that are dear to my heart, things that I needed to hear, and things that God is continually working in my life to improve. Words cannot fully say how inspiring and uplifting that concert was for me. God spoke to my heart in so many ways through the songs that were sang and the words that were being said. It was just amazing. His name was being praised and glorified, the love for Him pouring out of the hearts of His children through singing, shutting their eyes, raising their hands, and bowing their heads was amazing; I thank God for that experience. It was truly a blessing to be a part of. Starting with this post, I will be taking the songs that were sung at the concert (particular lines in the songs, that God used to really speak to my heart), and will be sharing with you all how God used them in my life.

Today, particularly, I am feeling strongly led to write about their song "East to West." Before they started playing that song Mark Hall (the lead singer) was talking about how often times we tend to dwell so much on our sin rather than who we really are in Christ because of what He did for us on the Cross. Personally, that was something that I really needed to hear. I am one that goes through times where I am pretty disgusted with my sin; and while I really do believe that is something that a Christian should feel in regards to their sin, I also believe that we can oftentimes belittle and "limit" God's grace because of it. But here's the thing: yes, we should get to that point with our sin to where we are just so disgusted with it and cry out to God that it be removed from our lives; but instead of dwelling on that, and letting that rule your thoughts, cast it down at Christ's feet and know that no matter what your sin is, it is indeed covered by Him. Have that knowledge of sin in your life, know what the sin is, pray to get rid of it, but don't dwell on it. Dwell on Christ and what He did for you; dwell on the fact that yes, our sin is terrible, but yes, God has covered it with the blood of His Son. Let the horridness of your sin make you so overwhelmed with love for our God who has taken it away through His Son! This is something that God is still teaching me, but by His amazing grace, I know that I will at some point in my life grasp the reality of the above. While I do grasp it at times, I long and pray that I may be able to grasp it all of the time!

"So far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Those two verses out of the Bible are two verses that are very dear and near to my heart. I pray that God continues to use them mightily in my life, that I may be able to see who I am in His Son, that I may be able to read them and know that it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. That I may know that the life that I now live I live by faith in Him, Who loved me and gave Himself for me and you. That I may know that He has cast my sin so far as the east is from the west. With this said, I leave you with the lyrics to the chorus of the song "East to West" by Casting Crowns.

Jesus, can you show me just how far the east is from west,
Because I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again,
In the arms of your mercy I find rest,
Because You know just how far the east is from the west.
From one scarred hand to another.