J-Just be Held-Casting Crowns

I don’t know about you, but for me, everyday life can seem like a storm at times. Fighting obligations at work, home, seeking to follow Christ in day to day life, it can be hard and difficult.

The opening line of this song speaks to me so much

“ Hold it all together

Everybody needs you strong”

I remember the storm I was facing before I began discovering my passion in writing again. I was depressed with my job, angry at God for not opening doors for a new job. I thought I had to hold it all together at work, at home, to be the leader I needed to be in life.

Then I began to realize, as the song

later states, that there is freedom in surrendering myself over to God and giving all control over to him.

I am still learning day by day to give my life over to God and surrender to him.

The chorus of the song says,

“ Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place

I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held

Just be held, just be held”

It was easy to think that in my job situation that my world was falling apart. I didn’t feel valued or appreciated, and that there was any meaning or significance in my job. It was causing pain in my marriage and in my relationships with my family.

However, my world was exactly where it to be. I was holding onto the illusion of control in my world instead of surrendering and resting in the one who has everything in control, Jesus.

It is hard for me to just be held by Jesus. I like to do, do, do, instead of be in the arms of Jesus. It is okay for me to do things, but if my identity is in them, my life is not where it needs to be.

The song continues to say,

“And not a tear is wasted

In time, you'll understand

I'm painting beauty with the ashes

Your life is in My hands”

God is beginning to paint beauty with the ashes with my life. No, I don’t have the perfect job situation, but that is okay. I am realized more and more than my identity does not come from anything else, but Jesus.

I have the opportunity to bless people from right where I am and share my heart with these reflections. So I can get through the day and work to the best of my ability for the glory of God .

It is my hope and prayer that I am pointing you closer to Jesus with these reflections.

I didn’t know what storm you are going through in life, but know this one fact: Jesus is with you in the storm.

When your eye is on your troubles,

your attention is diverted, lacking your total focus on Jesus.

So turn your eyes upon Jesus and run to him with total abandon. Rest in him and just be held in his arms of love.