Exalted

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth

Thou art exalted far above all gods

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth

Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee,

I exalt Thee,

I exalt Thee, O Lord.

(I Exalt Thee, written by Pete Sanchez, Jr.)

These words changed my morning yesterday. Life has been exhausting lately. Maybe you can relate. We have a group chat at work, and Friday, I posted a GIF of a runner crawling across the finish line. I captioned it, “This is me today.” I have felt the pressures of the world this week. Maybe you have too. When I feel that exhaustion, even writing this blog can become just another thing that has to get done. Before working on it yesterday, I decided to take a shower. It seemed like a good idea to have some music to accompany my shower, and this is the song I played. Ironically, it washed over me more than the shower did. 

This song takes me way back. I think I’ve known it my whole life. Some might say that the lyrics are too simple. There are really only 18 words here that are repeated. But something happened as I sang along with these words yesterday morning. My heart got lost in worship. My eyes went up. I turned my attention from myself to One Who is worthy of all of my worship. 

Sometimes I jokingly tell people, “I have a PhD in making things all about me.” The sad part is that there is truth to that, and I don’t think I’m the only one. Our sinful hearts default to putting ourselves at the center of everything. We tend to view everything that’s happening in the world in light of how it affects us, and we often feel out of sorts when things aren’t going the way we think they should. We desperately need God’s help to live a life that is free from this kind of self-centeredness.

In those moments of worship yesterday morning, in those moments of singing out those 18 simple words, I was reminded that everything is all about God and His glory. He is exalted. He is far above all the earth and all other gods. 

It’s not about me. IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. Honestly, when my deceitful heart tells me that it’s all about me, I get exhausted, and the things I do to serve can become a drudgery. When my heart instead turns to worshiping the Creator of the universe, I find rest, and the things I do to serve flow from my love for Him. He is holy and worthy. Everything belongs to Him, and He “upholds all things by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3) He is all-powerful, and I am not. He is all-knowing, and I am not. He is infinite, and I am not. Getting a fresh view of Who He is helps me to keep the right perspective. My identity and worth are in Him. He is exalted.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

I want to have a heart that worships. This song will probably be played a few more times this week. Maybe this song isn’t one that takes you to a place of humble worship. That’s okay. Find one that does. Look for lyrics that point to the majesty, worth, and character of God. Then, sing your heart out. Remind your soul that you were made to worship a God that is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. Lift your eyes. He is exalted.

Lord God, You are worthy. Today, we lay down the things that have burdened us, and we look up. Please forgive us for our self-centeredness. We choose to turn our attention from ourselves to You, and we exalt You. May our hearts be filled with worship today and every day. Amen.

-Dana