The following lyrics are from a project called “The Porter’s Gate.” It is a collection of meditative songs I am beginning to greatly appreciate. The song I am focusing on this morning is called “Christ is Lower Still.” It is written and performed by Matt Maher, Kate Bluett, Doe Jones, and Isaac Wardell. Youtube and Spotify links are provided at the bottom of the blog.
Breathe in, reach out; Touch the hem of your garment now
Help me, heal me; My mind, my body, and soul
Let the king descend, living word made flesh; Lift this heavy heart to your throne oh god
In his wounds I find room for all of mine; When from grace I fell, Christ was lower still
Humbly, lowly; Jesus waits in the valley
My Savior suffers with me; With Him, I’ll rise again
We lift it all up to you Lord
We lift our heads, dreams, sorrow, pain, cares on you again
Let the king descend, living word made flesh; Lift this heavy heart to your throne oh god
In his wounds I find room for all of mine; When from grace I fell, Christ was lower still.
How am I interacting with the truths of this song?
I am like the bleeding woman in the Gospel. I am bloody and broken. I have exhausted all efforts to fix myself. Nothing has worked. It is true, from grace, I have fallen hard. I am not pure in the eyes of the Law. I am not holy in the eyes of the Judge. I am not reputable in the eyes of my neighbors. I am not beautiful in my own eyes. Truthfully, I cannot even see out my own eyes as they are filled with tears.
However, there is good news. I understand the King of the universe has come my way. He has descended from his glorious throne and has come to this earth. He has taken on flesh that becomes suffers; he too enters the valley and finds himself bloody and broken. And now, this very morning, Jesus has come to my town. More than this, he has come to my house. He is so close; right now he sits beside me on the sofa.
His eyes — they can see right through me. He sees my suffering. He sees my sins. What next? Do I dare talk to him? Can I look him in the eye? Do I dare reach out and touch him?
Yes, I will take a big breath and take the chance.
After all, he has a long history of saving broken people.
After all, he has commanded me to turn from my self-goodness, confess my sin, and believe in his grace.
After all, he has drawn near to me. He has organized my entire day to bring me to this point right now.
Therefore now, in obedience, in faith, in great need, I connect with the King of Sorrows — the one acquainted with grief, and I wait for his power to be poured out. I wait for my healing, and while I do I muse on his words, “Child, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
Yes Lord, you are my hope. You are my helper. Thank you for coming near. Thank you for knowing me and staying near. Now, please, do your fantastic work! This is me, your child, reaching out and touching your garment.
Unfathomable Grace 