Found

It has always been there in plain sight

“it's You Jesus, it's always been You…”

It was like stumbling upon a hidden treasure, a chorus of a new song that resonated with me on a profound level. Despite my familiarity with Amanda Cook's music, the music she released through Bethel didn't stir the same emotional response within me as this discovery did. After tuning in to Rita Springer's enlightening podcast, “Worship is My Weapon,” where she and Amanda Cook delved into Amanda's journey of spiritual “deconstruction” and return to her faith in Jesus, I was compelled to explore further. This led me to listen to Amanda's latest EP, eager to immerse myself in the culmination of her experiences and reflections.

The entire song is a proclamation of a personal encounter and realization that Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment we need and will always need. As I listened, something resonated deep within me, touching my spirit and filling me with a sense of profound fulfilment.

The first phrase of the song contains the following lyrics:

“I’ve found what I’ve been searchin' for it’s been here the whole time”

I spent my early years searching for something that would fulfil me, give me purpose, and help me define who I am. I was raised in a Christian household, so Church and ministry were central to my life since my mother was a missionary. On a long journey to find my place in the Church, I sought to discover my identity within religion. However, all I found was a profound sense of emptiness. I realized that neither religion nor the Church could fill a person. Only Jesus can provide true fulfilment, identity, and purpose.

Amanda Cook puts it this way:

I'm done lookin'
I'm not searchin' anymore
My heart has found the One
That I've been searching for

We all reach a point in life when we stop searching for what will fulfil us, give us identity, and provide a deep sense of certainty and security. At this point, the great I am, the truth of life, reveals Himself to us uniquely and specially, giving us hope and eternity. It is an incredible realization that while we wander astray, seeking fulfilment in empty places and worldly pursuits, Jesus has always been there, eagerly waiting for us to turn to Him. When we do, our hearts are found by the Creator.

At a particular juncture in my life, I encountered a pivotal decision. I found myself at a crossroads, torn between embracing the materialistic pursuits and societal definitions of fulfilment and identity or turning to Jesus as the deeply personal and unique alternative, distinct from mere religious adherence or association with a specific church. Upon making the decision to surrender my life to Christ, I experienced a profound transformation. This newfound hope has given me a renewed sense of identity, providing me with a strong foundation of security. Through this journey, I have gained unwavering confidence and a deep, lasting sense of fulfilment.

The Bible tell us that:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Have you found God? Have you experienced the everlasting grace of God?