A Beautiful Exchange

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a Hillsong concert at Church on the Move in Tulsa. They just recently released a new record entitled A Beautiful Exchange so, naturally, the tour was called the Beautiful Exchange tour. The pastor that traveled with them explained why they named their current record A Beautiful Exchange and he basically explained that Jesus made a beautiful exchange when he died for us.

That's such a cool way to think about it.

We hear the word "sacrifice" all the time and though that's true it becomes numb the more times we hear it. What Jesus did was truly a beautiful exchange. He exchanged our deserved death for life by giving his. But we have beautiful exchanges as well. Anytime we meet someone new we have a beautiful exchange because we meet another "us".

We meet another "me".

We meet another "we".

We meet another "brother".

We meet another "sister".

I was pondering on why facebook is such a hit. Ask anyone why they have it. 95% if not more say it's to keep in touch. But lets face it, that's not usually the case. Anyone, including myself, can keep up with friends via phone whether it be calling them or texting them. The real reason we all have a facebook is cause its more convenient and we love stalking people and the pictures, posts, comments, and friends each other have. If someone messages us or comments us or whatever the case may be, we like the fact that we don't have to respond right then. It's on our time. The ball's in our court. We're in control, and we LOVE that. And how convenient it is that we can look at all their photos to see what they look like in current situations, what type of people they hang out with, etc. That my friends is not a beautiful exchange. When we meet face to face and talk, laugh, hang out....

That is a beautiful exchange.

It's about community. Jesus demonstrated that flawlessly and we should follow that example then lead by example. He made a beautiful exchange so we may have a beautiful exchange.

"When only love could make a way

You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange

When only love could break these chain

You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange"

He still wants us and still wants to exchange with us. Through prayer. Through scripture. Through people. But we fight back. We say no. We want the ball in our court not his. Cause love control. And we hate being vulnerable. "You were near though I was distant. Disillusioned, I was lost and insecure. Still mercy fought for my attention. You were waiting at the door, then I let You in."

Perfection took our place in a Beautiful Exchange.