Spiritual Bank Accounts

I remember sliding into the cream-colored pew every Sunday morning, often “dressed to impress” my Lord and Savior who no doubt cared very much about whether or not I wore a dress or pants. Once seated, I remember eyeing the program to see what songs we would sing, who was performing the special solo, and what the topic of the sermon would be.

At the music minister’s instruction, we would grab one of the hardback hymnals and turn to number 582.

“We’ll be singing verses 1, 2, and 4!” The organ and piano began playing in unison, and everyone starting singing. Rewind and repeat every week.

Hymns were not my favorite style of music as I was growing up, but the repetition of singing words that were penned by a variety of people who often times were experiencing deep distress was a deposit into my spiritual bank account that I didn’t know I would one day need for withdrawal.

When I awoke this morning, I found myself feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, depressed, and quite honestly, incapacitated. I just wanted to pull the covers over my head until I had to pick up the kids from school. I forced myself to get up to spend time with God, even though I wasn’t feeling it. My journaled prayer was a simple one:

“God, I’m a hot mess, and I feel emotionally broken right now. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to indwell in me and help me. Please help!”

Out of nowhere, the tears began to fall and I could not stop crying. That’s when he whispered to me: I am here. You need only to access the power you already have. Call on my name.

He then brought to mind the hymn “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote, an almost 200 year old song.

Thanks to my upbringing, I already knew all the words by heart, but I pulled up that song on Spotify and played it as I cried, focusing on every word.

My hope is built on nothing less 
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. 
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. 

Refrain: 
On Christ the solid rock I stand, 
all other ground is sinking sand; 
all other ground is sinking sand. 

When Darkness veils his lovely face, 
I rest on his unchanging grace. 
In every high and stormy gale, 
my anchor holds within the veil. 
(Refrain) 

 His oath, his covenant, his blood 
supports me in the whelming flood. 
When all around my soul gives way, 
he then is all my hope and stay. 
(Refrain) 

When he shall come with trumpet sound, 
O may I then in him be found! 
Dressed in his righteousness alone, 
faultless to stand before the throne! 
(Refrain) 

By the time the song ended, my tears had stopped, and my heart had been recalibrated on my Tower of Strength: Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the emotional, physical, or mental storms we find ourselves in, we can count on the one who is a firm foundation. The one whose anchor holds in each and every storm. The one who keeps our feet planted during the floods of life. The one who is our hope when every single thing around us gives way.

When we find our feet in quicksand, may we call out to the anchor and ask him to give us firm footing. It’s not always a quick turnaround like this morning’s experience, but after we send our thoughts in the right direction long enough, everything else will eventually follow.

And during the seasons of calm, deposit into your spiritual bank account for those times you will need to make a withdrawal. Scripture memorization, worship, prayer, a listening heart. When the flood waters rise, you’ll be able to pull on your resources without fear of overdraft.