Change our Hearts

​There are songs that remain part of our personal worship years after they are sung regularly in the church.  Eddie Espinosa wrote a song in 1982 that was a staple for years in the church, Change my Heart Oh God.  Even now, nearly 40 years later, the simple lyrics echoing a prayer to have our hearts be changed still resonates in my quiet time.  15 years later, Darlene Zschech wrote The Potter’s Hand at the growing Hillsong Church in Australia, part of a worship music movement that has incredible impact even today.  These two songs, largely part of our history in worship music, echoed a deep understanding that we must be changed. 
 
These two songs are rooted in the biblical principles found in the opening verses of Romans 12:
 
        “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of Worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
 
We must never forget that our worship is not limited to the time of corporate worship together at a weekly gathering.  Our worship includes the day-to-day things, the regular putting to death of our “old self” in Ephesians 4, the rejection of the world and the alignment of our thinking and values to that which reflects our Savior.  It is easy to conform to our society’s cultural norms, bending our understanding of right and wrong be acceptable to those around us.  Instead, we must pray that our hearts are changed, that we are molded by the Potter’s Hand, that we are not conformed to this world, but transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
 
For His Glory,
-Pastor Zach