Already There
When I started reading the bible for the first time, a dear friend told me to start with John's gospel. I read the first page over and over because for the first time I understood that Jesus was God incarnate:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God to those who believe in His Name. John 1:10 - 12
But He didn't just come to earth and leave us "orphans", John 14:18
He promised:
"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age". Matthew 28:20
As I pondered this verse, I realized that there really should be no room in my life for fear of any kind because of our Lord's constant presence and power. Before I awake and when I sleep, my Lord is always there.
Another thought came to my mind when I was writing this song. After Jesus was resurrected, the disciples were fishing and caught nothing. Jesus called out to them as He was cooking breakfast over a small fire. Peter, thinking that was indeed the Lord, dove in the water and swam as fast as He could to shore.
I imagine both the physical and spiritual needs of the disciples being met that morning as they ate that breakfast prepared by the Lord, and warmed themselves by the fire that He built for them. I also picture them leaning on each and every Word of Truth spoken by Him in those few treasured and invaluable moments. Jesus has built a fire each and everyone of us. He desires to not only meet our basic needs, like He did that morning with the disciples, but also to guide us and comfort us. We just have to recognize Him like Peter did, and get to Him as fast as we can with a repentant and surrendering heart.
Lyrics
When the wandering light
of the stars subside
Before I open my eyes,
My Lord is there, already there
John's gospel floods my mind
Before the beginning ,
before time began,
the Word was with God
Then the Word that formed
the heavens and earth
Came through Christ to save us
I drank from the well, whose waters ran dry
I searched far for the bread of life
Where was the Shepherd who looked after His sheep?
He was building a fire for me
It warmed me from my head to my toes
To the very depth of my soul
Lamp to my feet, light to my path
I am no longer cold, where'ere I am, where'ere I go
What am I He loves me so?
Blessed be to the Lord, who only does wondrous things
When the wandering light of the stars subside
Before I open my eyes, My Lord is there, already there
and I know there's no room for fear
My Lord is there, He's already there
and I know there's no room for fear
Credits
piano and vocal - Christie Cook
cello - Max Dyer
© 2011