Return me to the cross
and let me be completely lost
in the wonder of the love
that You’ve shown me.
This is everything I want.
This is everything I need.
I want this to be
my one consuming passion,
everything my heart desires.
Lord, I want it all to be
for You, Jesus.
Be my magnificent obsession.
These lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Magnificent Obsession” reveal the heart of a man consumed with God. Are you and I consumed—even obsessed—with Him? The writer of Hebrews penned some powerful, perspective-changing words that are Steven Curtis-like: “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1). His passionate plea calls us to toss aside the sin that would consume us—choosing to be obsessed with God instead.
What’s next? We’re called to “[keep] our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) instead of fixating on the spiritually stifling stuff of this world. When we gaze on His face, our minds and hearts are filled with His beauty, His glory, His truth.
Who should inspire us and keep us going? Jesus. We’re to consider “all the hostility He endured” so we won’t “give up” (Hebrews 12:3). As Steven Curtis sings, Return me to the cross and let me be completely lost in the wonder of the love that You’ve shown me. We could add, I willingly give my life—my all—for You, just as You’ve given Your life for me.
Our great God, the only One worthy of our devotion and obsession, is awesome and powerful (Hebrews 12:25-27). He causes us to drop to our knees and “[worship] Him with holy fear and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).
May we be consumed by God, who “is a devouring fire” (Hebrews 12:29). For He is our magnificent obsession.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 14:1-14
More:
Read Matthew 22:37 and consider what Jesus said about what it means to be consumed with Him.
Next:
How can you practically reveal that Jesus is your magnificent obsession? What will change if you become more consumed with God?
tom felten on September 14, 2012 at 9:31 am
As we think about our Magnificent Obsession today, what are some of the false gods or obsessions that can threaten to fill our minds and hearts?