Worship Wednesday: Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)

Worship at camp is a unique experience. For the counselors and staff, we get to take a break from some of the chaos, some of us leading worship, others praising God with our kiddos. For some of the campers, this may feel similar to their church: a band leading up front, others singing around them, and this sense of unity through music and worship. For other campers, however, this may feel foreign and even uncomfortable at times. These kids may not have ever been exposed to this kind of music, oneness with a community of Christians, or even this kind of Love that we receive from our beautiful Lord. For them, and for anyone else in that sanctuary struggling with brokenness, emptiness, or feeling unseen, we sing a specific song: Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) by Hillsong Worship. 

All these pieces, broken and scattered.
In mercy gathered, mended and whole
Empty-handed but not forsaken,
I've been set free.

--- 

These beginning lines are the first of many reminders that, despite our brokenness and imperfections, God gathers each one of us in His mercy and grace and makes us whole again. This is one of the most important messages we can give each child as they progress through the week at Camp Horizon. Hearing the campers sing the words "I've been set free," brings chills to everyone listening, and it is confirmation that this message is beginning to settle; the idea of God loving and saving us despite our shortcomings is, one by one, impacting these children.

You take our failure, you take our weakness.
You set Your treasure in jars of clay.
So take this heart, Lord, I'll be Your vessel
The world to see Your life in me.

---

Referencing Isaiah 64:8, "But now, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay and you are the potter. All of us are the work of your hand," this phrase of the song illustrates the idea that God himself set his treasure in each jar of clay he created -- each person he made. These lines encourage us to take the light of God from camp out into the world. Another important message that the campers are encouraged to understand is that we must take this fire that has been lit at camp and share it with our friends, our classmates, our parents, and the world surrounding us. By offering our hearts to the Lord, we become able to show God's love through daily words and actions.

Oh, I can see it now; I can see the love in Your eyes.
Laying Yourself down, raising up the broken to life.

---

As counselors, we hope that if the campers remember nothing but playing messy games, going swimming, and making s'mores, they also remember that the love of God was right there with them while they did all of it. Camp is unique in that way: no matter what activity is happening, the presence of God is never very far behind.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind but now I see.

---
In my opinion, the best part about this worship song is its fusion of a contemporary worship melody and a beloved hymn that is familiar to most people. The words of Amazing Grace is yet another reminder that God's grace saved us.

Broken Vessels has a special place at camp, and it sends a message that everyone needs to hear: 

No matter how broken you are or how empty you are, God's love and grace will be there to repair every shattered piece.

Written by: Allison Regehr