None Can Take Me

Last night at the Singles Meeting, a particular phrase from one of the songs struck me...

Alleluia
Grace shall reign eternally
None can take me
From the ranks of God's redeemed

Simple, right? Well, the tune made a difference, but still: simple. And yet...

I was surprised to find that singing "none can take me from the ranks of God's redeemed" left me exultant, awestruck, extravagantly grateful. "Why?" I asked myself this, as I was worshipping. "I haven't been feeling like anything could take me from God, so why does this phrase mean so much to me?"

And then I thought, "it is because Christ really is, increasingly, my all-in-all. Having him, you could take from me my very life and I would be content. Not having him, heaven itself would be hell in my eyes."

It shook me, to think that any one person could mean that much. My hope rests in that this one person is God, and therefore utterly permanant, utterly trustworthy. I can adore God infinitely, and he will always be worthy of it, breathing passion into my soul, drawing me to his heart as to the heart of flame--he is jealous, but never in sin. God is the only person in the universe who has the right to be jealous.

I sang therefore the truth, and sang it as if it were my lifeline, as indeed it is. None can take me from Christ, not even that which severs us from all earthly beloveds: death. Ah, no, death will only bring me finally to see him as he is.

Is it any wonder that Christians have such joy, such hope? What is the end of all things to others is at once the completion and the beginning of all things to us--and more, the dawn of eternal delight.