I love to play praise music during the day. It helps remind me to thank God and think about Him throughout the day. And He loves it when we sing praises to Him, even if I’m only singing in my mind as to not disturb coworkers with my bad warbling.  

Some songs take me back to a memory. Sometimes, straight back to a situation that was really powerful for me. Such is the case with Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle. 

Two years ago I was in Israel. It was an amazing trip, eye opening and faith deepening, in many ways. We walked where Jesus walked. Sat in the beauty of where He delivered the beatitudes. Swam in the waves of the Sea of Galilee where He calmed the waters. 

Then we also traveled behind today’s green line. We walked in a schoolyard littered with spent smoke bombs and whistle bombs. We touched the graffiti covered walls holding residents behind them. We saw the modern day helplessness and hopelessness.

When we returned to Jerusalem we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A place where many believe Jesus was crucified and possibly buried. We were waiting in line in the rotunda, surrounded by amazing architecture and images of Christ crucified. I put in my headphones and played some music while waiting, this is what sang into my ears:

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling

Of its suffering I do drink

Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is love

And God is just

It was overwhelming to be surrounded by the sights and smells of where He died for our sins. My sins. And to think that God loved us so much, He was willing to give up His Son. To place all the punishment we deserve, on His Son. I feel unworthy. Yet the words sing on…

At the cross You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees, and I am

Lost for words, so lost in love,

I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

 

What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given

Through Christ crucified

Yes, so completely underserved. PRICELESS!! And even when I don’t know what to think, what to say, You beckon me and draw me gently to my knees. So gracious! So forgiving!!

You’ve called me out of death

You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now through the cross I’m reconciled

 You loved me too much to leave me apart from you in death. You loved me so much you called me to life, abundant life! Through this cross, in this place I stand, you reconciled my debts. Before I was even born, you gave your Son to pay them.

In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness

I was in complete awe that day. I shared a headphone with a friend. We both had tears streaming down our face. Because we’re forgiven. Not because of our greatness or worth, but because our creator is that great. And that faithful. And I just relived all of it, listening to the words of this song, broken and surrendered again…

Lost for words, so lost in love,

I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered