Ascend: An 11-Day Devotional With Red Rocks WorshipSample

ALL I EVER WANTED

Saint Augustine once said, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” This sounds like an echo of what John wrote in his first epistle, that when we see Christ in his fullness, we will be made like him (1Jn 3:2). While John is writing about when Christ will finally appear in glory, his idea remains true for the journey we find ourselves on today— whatever we love wholeheartedly will inevitably change us. We become what we love and behold (2 Cor. 3:18). “All I Ever Wanted” speaks to that visceral experience of God’s closeness and grace; an awareness developed through the pressures of life that leaves us leaning solely on Jesus. It is a tender declaration of who is preeminent in our hearts and the loving-kindness of a Savior that draws us safely into total surrender. Our stories cannot be simply reduced to words on a page. The fires that forged us, the people who molded us, and the circumstances which have marked us are as diverse as the human experience — yet the lyrics of this song paint a picture we can all resonate with on a formative level. God constantly meets us with mercy and compassion, teaching us over the course of a lifetime of his trustworthiness and grace. He is not intimidated by how long it takes, nor surprised by the pivots within the journey—he is simply concerned with being present on the path alongside us. As we practice keeping in step with the Spirit we are gently corrected and awakened; we learn that our longings will continually be sanctified until Jesus is established as our foremost affection. Then surrender becomes easy and natural— we trust the process, and we trust the faithfulness of the one who has led us every step of the way.

1. Think back on the story of your life and the faithfulness of God. Where have you seen God show his mercy and grace in your life? What have been some circumstances that have shaped your trust in God?
2. Now take a moment and worship through “All I Ever Wanted” – picture the narrative of your life and God’s activity in and through your journey. Tell your soul the truth as you remember God’s trustworthiness, and reinforce your posture of surrender as you declare Jesus as the first love of your heart.

VIDEO BLURB: Our stories cannot be simply reduced to words on a page. The fires that forged us, the people who molded us, and the circumstances which have marked us are as diverse as humanity itself— yet those of us who have walked with God have had the same formative experience. We share the testimony that God constantly met us with mercy and compassion, teaching us over the course of a lifetime of his trustworthiness and grace. He is not intimidated by how long it takes, nor surprised by the pivots within the journey—he is simply concerned with being present on the path alongside us.