It’s Time … for Christ in You to COME OUT

Nancy Carmichael / Women’s Ministry Director

It was the middle of summer, about five years ago … ah yes, you remember 2020, that wonderfully wacky time where the world just felt a little weird? (and yes, that’s a LOT of alliteration right there) Anyway, there was a stretch of a few weeks when it felt like Jesus was waking me up every morning by whispering the following words: “Come out, Come out, Christ in me. Come out, Come out, the hope of glory.” It was literally His wake up call … and I knew exactly what He was saying. First of all, because it was directly from His Word (Colossians 1: 27: He has made known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory). Secondly, because you see, in that particular season, even though circumstances kept us from physically quarantining, I had found that I was still “sheltering in place” a bit in my heart. I was retreating. Isolating and self-protecting from the risk and messiness of relationship. And Jesus was not letting me get away with it! Over time, as He continued to encourage … admonish … even gently rebuke me … a song began to emerge. I eventually recorded it … and I think “it’s time” now to share it with you!

COME OUT

I’ve been sheltering in place here for a while

Craving comfort, taking refuge in this trial

All the madness in the world has left me dry

And thirsting for Your presence

It’s been safe here in the shelter of Your wing

Seeking solace from a world of suffering

And You’ve been patient as You wait for me to bring

This pain I’ve been avoiding

This self I’ve been preserving

This fear that’s kept me hiding

I hear You gently calling

And I know it’s time to come out

Yeah, I know, it’s time to come out

(CHORUS)

So come out, come out, Christ in me

Come out, come out, the Hope of glory

Come out, come out and set me free

Within, without to live Your story

I’ve been waiting for some kind of guarantee

I’ve been trusting just so far as I can see

You’ve been calling me to live and move and breath

And find my being in You

All these mountains I’ve been asking You to move

All these things I’ve been expecting You to prove

All the while You’ve been inviting me to climb…

A mount of transformation

Cast down imagination

Let go of expectation

Embrace anticipation

Cause You know it’s time to come out

Yeah it’s time, for You to Come out

(CHORUS)

You’re graciously contending with my doubt and trepidation

You’re lovingly confronting all my pride and indignation

Now I’m finding that I’m finally beginning to be living

Cause You’re chasing fear away

Yeah Your perfect love is casting fear away, so…

FINAL CHORUS

Come out, come out, Christ in me

Come out, come out, the Hope of Glory

Come out, come out, and set me free

Raise up a shout of victory

Come out, Come out…

The Hope of Glory

Come on and tell your story

You are the Hope of Glory

And it’s time to come out

And live Your life in me

We’re gonna live so free

We’re gonna live in freedom

You and me

You and me

Christ in me

Oh yeah, and you can listen to the song here for free!