Leaning on God
Discovering Peace with Matt Maher
Have you ever considered how your personal experiences can become a canvas for expressing your faith? Matt Maher, a renowned Christian music artist, talks about this in a conversation with Family Life Radio.
About his song, “Leaning” Matt shares, “I’ve had this weird propensity to write songs and play hymns in the process. It’s never been intentional. In fact, at this point, I have a complex about it.”
“In the process of writing with some friends,” Matt continues, “I wrote this verse melody with this phrase and at the end of it, it said, ‘I’m leaning on your arms,’ which made me think about the hymn.”
Creativity can be an outlet for spiritual expression. Just as David wrote psalms reflecting his life’s ups and downs, you too can find unique ways to express your faith journey. Whether it’s through music, art or journaling, your personal experiences can become a testimony of God’s work in your life.
Peace in Surrender and Trust
“Leaning,” Matt confesses, encapsulating the essence of surrender and trust in our relationship with God. “I think the song is ultimately about experiencing the calm that comes from relationship with God.”
Leaning on God’s understanding rather than our own offers a peace that is beyond human comprehension.
“So for me,” Matt says, “the song is really about learning to live life with the weight of your life on the shoulders of Jesus. And the more we do that, the less the difficulties of this world feel like death and the more feel more like the kingdom of God entering earth.”
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 urge us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, rather than succumb to anxiety. Surrendering to God’s will involves recognizing a grander plan, one filled with hope and purpose. As you face uncertainties and trials, remember that entrusting your journey to God paves the way to experience His peace and guidance.
The Vulnerability Found in Worship
“The power of God is made perfect in our weakness. It’s displayed in our vulnerability. So it’s when we’re the most vulnerable on a specific personal level that God’s able to do it.”
Embracing our vulnerabilities, especially in worship, can lead to a more authentic connection with God. It’s in our moments of doubt, fear or weakness that we are most receptive to God’s transformative work.
Paul talks about finding strength in weaknesses, allowing Christ’s power to rest upon him (See 2 Corinthians 12:9). In your spiritual walk vulnerabilities are opportunities for God to manifest His strength and grace in your life.
The Gift in Where You Are
Change is an intrinsic part of life’s journey. “What I’m learning in this season of life is just to be grateful for where you are. And find a gift in where you are right now. So I feel like how God has met me in that, as He’s reminded me of that. I’m not the same person I was when I was in my twenties, and I wrote, ‘Your Grace is Enough,’ and that’s actually really good, because I don’t wanna be stuck in groundhog day, living the same thing over and over again.”
Embracing the changes and growth we experience allows us to evolve, learn and view life from new perspectives.
Whether it’s a shift in career, personal life or spiritual path, approaching these changes with a heart of gratitude can enrich our lives. Each season, irrespective of its challenges, brings its own set of lessons and blessings.
Heart Surrender
Matt’s personal journey speaks volumes about navigating life’s challenges with a heart of surrender. His experience of an abrupt pause in touring and learning to reacclimate to being home reflects the unpredictable nature of life.
“I’m getting more excited about the next season of life, rather than being afraid of what it would look like. I’m starting to dream of just what it could look like,” Matt shares.
In these moments, learning to accept our circumstances, staying present and surrendering them to God is essential. It’s about understanding God has a purpose in every season, even those that are challenging.
Matt’s words encourage us to lean on God, embrace our vulnerabilities, grow through change and approach life’s challenges with surrender and trust. As you continue on your path, your journey, with all its twists and turns, is proof to God’s ongoing work in your life. Embrace it with an open heart and a steadfast spirit, knowing that you are never alone in this journey.
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