I really like the new Sara Bareilles single, “King of Anything.” (AND I love the silverware piano in the music video!) The premise of the song is essentially a girl who doesn’t want to be controlled by a man anymore. I was listening to it the other day, and the Lord used a pretty ordinary, upbeat, secular song (hint, hint: He can use anything He chooses) to reveal something pretty extraordinary.

Whenever the Lord has something to teach me, it is an unmistakable word in my Spirit. I know as I listened to Sara’s straightforward lyrics, the Lord revealed, “That’s you…with Me.” So, of course, I quickly restarted the song and listened closely to the words. When I verbalized her words as my own, but not directed toward a controlling man, but rather toward my loving God and Savior, I was speechless. Each line, each word, brought conviction to my heart. (As I go through each of these, please keep in mind that I am in no way judging Ms. Bareilles or her lyrics. These are simply things God showed me using her song. This is certainly not a commentary on her heart or motivation for the song. End of disclaimer.)

1. I AM SO PROUD. The whole song is all about knowing and doing what you think is best. How many times have I had a conversation with the Lord where ultimately I’m saying, “You’ve got opinions, man. We’re all entitled to ’em, but I never asked.” Ouch–that’s tough self-revelation, right there. My pride takes over and I don’t want Him to tell me what to do. In fact, I stop even listening to His leading. I “look outside…and count the cars that pass by.” My pride also tells me that I can take care of myself, that I don’t need Him. The lyric, “I’m not drowning. There’s no one here to save,” shot me straight to the heart. Do I forget my need of my Savior? Do I think that I’ve somehow arrived? Do I think that I’m above needing His grace EVERY moment? Do I think I’m doing HIM a favor by being a Christian? Do I think I know better than Him? PRIDE.

2. I DO NOT FULLY TRUST HIM. If I trusted Him completely, I would not stall in my obedience. I would not question His leadership or delay at all in following Him. In verse two, she says, “You swear you know best, but you expect me to jump up on board with you.” Yes, He does. He expects it. He knows best. Do I trust Him? Do I believe that He has the best plan for me? Can I go anywhere with Him? Do I trust Him to protect my heart? Do I trust Him with my future? With my past?

3. I AM AN IDOLATER. Idolatry is the worship of other gods, as I’m sure you know. Worship is a response of praise and sacrifice to that which we deem worthy of it. Our hearts were made to worship–we will worship something. It’s a matter of what, not if. When I seek after something other than the Living God to meet and fill my needs, I am committing idolatry. Sara writes, “All my life, I’ve tried to make everybody happy while I just hurt and hide.” Idols will never satisfy. We think they will make us happy. We think they will fill and heal, but they are powerless. Only the Risen Son of God has the power to do anything in our lives. What idol do I chase? To what idol do I make sacrifices? What idol do I think will satisfy my longing heart?

4. I WILLINGLY REBEL AGAINST GOD’S WORD. Every day, several times a day, I mimic Sara’s sentiments: “Who cares if you disagree–you are not me.” I’m disgusted at the thought that my thoughts, words, and actions say that to the Most High God. What conviction of the Holy Spirit do I ignore? What sins do I not take seriously? What sins do I think are “not that bad”? Do I care what Scripture has to say regarding my rebellion?

I have to admit–it was a lot to take in during that 3 minutes and 23 seconds. But Jesus showed me those things with fullness of grace and truth. I have faith that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, so this must be part of that work. The chorus says, “you dare tell me who to be.” Yes, He does: Leviticus 11:44 says, “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” He has the absolute reign in our lives because, “HE died and IS KING of EVERYthing….ohh ohh…ohh ohh…”