Greetings one and all. I was on my walk around the neighborhood yesterday and started thinking about a song I really like. It was written several years ago by one of my all-time favorite Christian song writers/singers Ray Boltz. The song is called That’s What This Alter Is For. It is definitely one of those songs that will make you cry. I was thinking about the song a lot yesterday and wanted to share it with you, and some of my thoughts (I don’t remember the whole song, only a part of it).
The service is nearing an end.
The Choir is singing Just As I Am.
As that old song is played, people at the alter are kneeling down to pray.
Some are finding mercy, forgiveness for their sins.
Some are fighting battles, and are struggling to win.
Come quickly now before they shut the door.
That’s what this alter is for.
That’s what this alter is for.
You don’t have to carry your burdens any more.
There’s a light in the darkness.
There’s a light that’s true.
Jesus is waiting. He is waiting here for you.
Come quickly now before they shut the door.
That’s what this alter is for.
It’s a powerful song. It reminds me of what Paul told the Galatian churches. We are to help others bear their burdens (Gal. 6). We are all weak. One person’s weakness may be another person’s strength. We all can help each other when our strengths and weaknesses mesh like that.
And, it seems, there some struggles we have that God, and God alone, can help us with. We can always pray for and with each other, for sure.
What are your thoughts on this? Please share any thoughts, questions, etc that you may have. Any thing any one out there would like to share is most welcome. Thank you all for reading my thoughts. God bless you all. Grace and Peace.
Zack,
Thanks for your thoughts, and for reminding me of a great song (I lost that cassette a loooong time ago, but just found it on iTunes). Seeking the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ is such an important part of our walk with Christ. So often we try to carry our burdens alone, sometimes even trying to make sure no one knows they exist (someone always knows, though, sometimes before we realize ourselves). What a blessing it is to lay our burdens down and find freedom in the humble admission that we can’t carry everything ourselves.
Physically, when we try to carry too much ourselves, we risk pulling a muscle, having a hernia, or worse, and not asking for help doesn’t make us look strong, it often makes us look silly and irrational. Spiritually, it’s no different, and the truly strong are those able to bend the knee at the alter and seek a strength and wisdom beyond their own.
Thank you James! I greatly appreciate you so much James. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here as well. We were never meant to carry our burdens by ourselves. We must help each other our burdens and release them on the alter before Jesus. God bless you James, your family, and the work y’all are doing. Grace and Peace :}
You are right… this is powerful. You really have a gift for remembering music and spiritual messages!
Love you always, Suzan