Tiny Offerings, Huge Love

Disclaimer, I listen to Christian music on the radio a lot, so the fact that I have a song in my head most mornings is not a shocker. But what I find sort of cool is which song I wake up with. Take it a step further, which line of that song.

Here’s this morning’s: never-the-less, I lay it at your feet

When I was actually awake, I had to think for a second about which song this was from. But before I did that, I thought about what that line–removed from its song–meant to me at that moment. Songs are poetry after all and, in some ways, open to personal application. Last night as I was drifting off, I was praying about big things, but also some things I thought of as “small.”

So, then when the rest of that song came to me, I realized it was in answer to the “small” thing I was praying about–My gift back to the God who gave me everything. I have been charting a new writing course for some months, being mindful and purposeful about using my talents at creative writing to glorify and serve the Lord. My prayer was about staying on course and if it really mattered what I did.

So what was the song? Mercy Me, “God with Us.” (You will see lyrics and the video at the end of this post.)

As a writer, I’m interested in the way the lyrics of that song play out. Through most of the song, the artist sings about how big God is and how small we are, but that God treasures us anyway and how He has freed us from death and sin. Mercy Me also sings about how, well…singing. How they can’t help but sing to the Glory of God.

Then comes this:

Such a tiny offering
Compared to Calvary
But nevertheless
We lay it at your feet

What is the tiny offering? Their song? Using their talent to glorify God?  I think so. Is it tiny–I think not, but I see what they mean. What could compare to the gift of eternal life with our God? But does God mean for it to compare? No. It’s not a competition. But He gave us each a gift (creative or otherwise) and what more can we do than lay that gift at his feet.

How do we do that? We share His love through our talents, whatever they may be. So for me, having that verse in my head this morning–after one of the “small” things I spoke to God about last night was getting back to the computer and writing for Him, sharing his word through story and connection to other people–essentially, remembering the purpose of my writing–was a lovely reminder that this is how I can thank Him. This is the way I lay my gift at His feet.

Is it tiny in comparison? Does that matter? The ocean is made of a tiny drops of water. The ocean is not tiny. What you do for Him is important.

Mercy Me, “God With Us”