Making Much of Him

These days I am enjoying some quality quiet time in my car during my lengthy travels back and forth to work.  It has given me the opportunity to listen to some great talks, podcasts and music.  The other evening as I made my way home I was particularly struck by a very familiar song from one of my favorite artists.  With my mind focused on this time of the year I sang along with Steven Curtis Chapman's "Much About You" and the words seemed to shine in a little different light.

As many of you may know, right about now my wife loves to have each member of our family set some goals for the new year (typical A-type)!  I always tend to hold back some, not because I don't want to accomplish anything in the coming year and not out of fear that I might possibly fail in completing my stated goals.  No, I think its simply because I am not an A-type!  I do want to have purpose in the upcoming year.  I do want to see all that God has for me.  I do want to accomplish some amazing things...but why?

I think for this coming year, more than other years in the past, I want to make much of God.  I want Him to be seen in my life (John 3:30).  I want to give Him more credit for what He is doing (Luke 5:26).  I want to be busy at the work He has given me to do, but not with the goal of bringing the attention my way, but rather His way.

So, as you read through the words of this song below, may your mind and heart be captivated as mine were and together, may we offer our lives to be taken and used to "make much of Him" in 2013.

Much Of You
"How could I stand here
And watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make much of me
Cause I'm just a whisper
And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

And how can I kneel here
And think of the cross
The thorns and the whip and the nails and the spear
The infinite cost
To purchase my pardon
And bear all my shame
To think I have anything worth boasting in except for Your name
Cause I am a sinner
And You are the Savior

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

This is Your love, oh God
Not to make much of me
But to send Your own son
So that we could make much of You
For all eternity

I want to make much of You Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You
I want to make much of You
Much of You Jesus"

Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
© 2004 Sparrow Song (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.)