A Living Song

Esther Song (white T-shirt on right)
with World Race Missions Team in San Salvador

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way of worship." (Romans. 12:1)




Esther Song was in my Bible study a couple of semesters ago before embarking on the World Race - a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve "the least of these." Esther along with teams of World Racers are living and holy sacrifices through which God is changing lives in nations all over the world. Esther Song is truly living a song of worship to Jesus.

~

After the church was born on the streets of Jerusalem at Pentecost, believers rapidly multiplied, but rumbles of disapproval escalated just as fast. Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, was arrested for false accusations and brought before the high counsel. 

Beginning with the story of Abraham, Stephen testified that Jesus was the Righteous One predicted by the prophets - the Messiah they had betrayed and murdered. In rage, his accusers dragged him out of the city, laid their robes at the feet of young Saul, and then stoned Stephen to death.

A great wave of persecution began that day and swept over the church of Jerusalem. Believers scattered and preached the Good News of Jesus wherever they went.

Young Saul joined the rampage against the church. He uttered threats and sought to kill them. On his mission to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way, a light suddenly burst from heaven, and Saul fell to the ground. 

A Voice boomed, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?"

"Who are you?" Saul asked.

The Voice answered, "I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting! Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as My servant and witness." (Acts 9 and Acts 26)

Saul believed. Jesus saved and transformed. Saul, later called Paul, wrote 13 books of the New Testament and became a great missionary for Christ - a living song of worship to God.

To the Romans, Paul wrote, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way of worship."

Paul's plea still resounds today, beloved. Present your body as a living sacrifice to God and become a living song of worship to Jesus!