“Change of place + change of pace = a change of perspective”
The first time I heard Mark Batterson share that equation, I was intrigued. In the past 15 years since I read those words, I have experienced that equation again and again.
A few years ago, I was completely overwhelmed by a problem in my work and walked away in despair and defeat. After a trip to a different location with more outdoor activity, less time on digital devices, and a lot more sleep, I returned with a very different perspective and the insight I needed. The problem hadn’t gotten smaller, but my perspective was different and perspective is everything!
Sometimes, we just need to slow down, step away, and sit quietly in order to step back into our real life with the resources needed to keep moving forward through our real challenges. The perspective We often require changing things up in order to find the perspective we need.
Jon Reddick experienced the truth behind Mark Batterson’s quote when he traveled to Israel for the first time. Reddick shared in an interview that as he sat on his hotel balcony overlooking the Sea of Galilee, he sensed a renewal in his faith and was inspired to write a song about what he believed. Working with some collaborators, the song “I Believe It” emerged.
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The chorus of the song echoes themes from the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
“I believe in the life of Jesus
I believe that He conquered death
I believe in the resurrection
I believe He's coming back again
I believe that His Spirit's with us
I believe that He gives us power”
If the song was a way for a new generation to engage the words of Christians from nearly 2,000 years ago, then that would be a win! But Reddick goes beyond just restating our core beliefs. He digs into his own story. In an interview with Air1 earlier this year, Reddick shared about how he’s seen God move in his life.
“As I watch the thread that God has been weaving over my life, I can’t explain it away as coincidence or life itself or even science. I have to give the glory to God. When I look at that, I believe that Jesus walked this earth, I believe that He died for our sins and I believe that He rose with all power in His hands.”
He confidently sings from that perspective in “I Believe It.”
“I can't deny it
If I said I got here on my own, I'd be lying
Cause my eyes have seen the goodness of the Father”
Declaring our belief in the Trinitarian God -Father, Son, and Spirit - is an essential part of our faith and practice. But, singing our belief is not the only part of that faith and practice. We also take action based upon what we sing.
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In his book, The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard wrote, “We don't believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.”
I think that action part is what stirred in Reddick’s heart as he stared at the same body of water that Jesus walked on and calmed with just a word. As he reflected on who Jesus was and what Jesus did, he was stirred to sing.
“It's not just a story
It's a living, breathing, walking testimony
Of a God so good He'd leave His home in glory
For the world He loved, for the world that He so loved”
In the same way we don’t just sing “I Believe It,” God didn’t just say He loved the world - He acted as if it were true.
As I’ve been listening to “I Believe It” today, I’ve been reflecting on a question that I’d encourage you to ponder. In what ways are you acting as if the words of this song are true?
Consider these questions inspired by the song.
In what ways are you acting as if Jesus really conquered death?
In what ways are you acting as if the Holy Spirit is really in you - giving you power?
In what ways are you acting as if this is more than just a story?
“I Believe It” is a beautiful song to sing. The lyrics offer rich reminders of some core elements of our faith which have crossed continents and centuries, transforming billions of people’s lives on earth and in eternity. But, neither the writers of the creeds, nor Jon Reddick in his writing of this song, want us to stop with saying we believe it or singing "I Believe It!" They, and the God they serve, want us to be stirred from singing into acting.
After all, if Jesus conquered death and the same Spirit which raised Him from the dead is giving us power, why would we stop with singing? Why wouldn’t we step into our days with boldness and confidence?
Today, I pray that you’ll experience confidence and take action based on what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:11:
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer, and yes he does have the best last name ever. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the proud parents of three children. He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
