Clear the Stage

Jimmy Needleman’s song,Clear the Stage,has been rolling through my heart for the last 3 days. The melancholy tone pierced my spirit during my Saturday morningexercise routine. So much so, that for the rest of myworkout, and again yesterday on my morning commute, I played the song over and over and over again. At the time, I wasn’t sure why I was so drawn to this particular song at this particular time.But last night, while sittingvigil at a dying friend’s bedside, I understood. Death is the ultimate stage clearer.

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews and all the decorations, too
Until the congregation’s few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social
Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

One day, death will come to all of us. Where we spend eternity will depend largely upon whether we cleared our stage of idols, busyness, and distraction and allowed Christ to be Lord of all.

My friend who is dying came to understand thisvery late in life.By her own admission, her stage was filled with many, many things. So much so that the contents overwhelmed her.

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for god to whisper
Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

Thankfully, she cleared her stage in time. She found a place before God, in quietness and solitude, and allowed Him to supernaturally clear the stage of her heart. I will never forget the lightness and exhilaration in her eyes after sheallowed Jesus to help her clear her stage.

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it

Because cleared her stage, the last several months of her life were filled with incredible joy and fulfillment despite the disease that was slowly breaking down her body. From the moment she discovered Christ, she put Him first in everything because she had discovered that life is not about things or adventures or making our mark. Life is about Christ and His kingdom.

Anything I put before my God is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol
Anything that I give all my all my love is an idol

When Isaidgood-bye to my friend last night, she was floating between this world and the next. While writing this, I am not sure whether shehas walked over the bridge withJesus to heaven yet, but one thing I am sure of is that she was very glad thather stage was clear and that she was ready to pass into eternity.

‘Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes, I can sing all I want to

And we can sing all we want to

And we can sing all we want to

We can sing all we want to

And still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song

What about you? Is your stage clear? Are you ready should death come near your household today?

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jimmyneedham/clearthestage.html