Going beyond religion

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Your Name
Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your Name
Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your Name
Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your Name
Holds everything I need

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

"I am not going to be religious."

Does that statement shock you? I think the song is very apt for what God calls us to do, and especially the line in the chorus, go beyond religion.

Are we just being religious Christians who go to church, pray everyday and do our TAWG? Or are we being true Christians who are living for God, reaching out for the lost and broken around us?

Especially now since we're having SPA, since we're getting closer to promos, since we're all slowly but surely feeling the pressure of JC life. Are we letting these unimportant things get in the way of what God is trying to do in our lives, or through them?

This line was shared during chapel in school, "You are not truly alive until you know what you would die for."

The answer definitely isn't our grades, but God. Are we making that extra effort as Christians, as IGNYTErs, as God's tools, to impact those around us and bless them? Let's continue to pray for the strength to do so, even as we juggle our schoolwork. Let's not lose sight of God's plans for us!

In His service,
Xiang An

Some thoughts for the day.