Nothing is Better than Knowing Jesus

This past Sunday we sang a song called "Graves into Gardens" at our Baptism Service. We selected the song because of how it illustrates the change in the life of believers. Whether our story starts with knowing Jesus from the time we could speak or we lived years without knowing or caring about Him, we've all experienced the emptiness of looking for our identity and fulfillment apart from Jesus. What the world provides is never enough. What Jesus offers never runs out.

The song builds to a bridge out of Isaiah 61:1-4 that illustrates the transformation that takes place when we place our faith in Jesus:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Our stories of faith are powerful. That's why we celebrate them at our baptism services. We have an important message to share, because Jesus replaces our brokenness with His peace, and joy, and wholeness. This week, look for opportunities to share pieces of your story with others. There is nothing better than knowing Jesus.

"Graves into Gardens"

I searched the world

But it couldn't fill me

Man's empty praise and treasures that fade

Are never enough

Then You came along

And put me back together

And every desire is now satisfied

Here in Your love

Oh, there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord, there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

I'm not afraid

To show You my weakness

My failures and flaws, Lord, You've seen them all

And You still call me friend

'Cause the God of the mountain

Is the God of the valley

There's not a place Your mercy and grace

Won't find me again

You turn mourning to dancing

You give beauty for ashes

You turn shame into glory

You're the only one who can

You turn graves into garden

You turn bones into armies

You turn seas into highways

You're the only one who can