So.....here I go again. Last night was meeting #1 of our journey BACK to Haiti. It was SO good to see familiar faces and some new ones too. I am already so excited about what God is preparing for our group and how this is all going to play out for His glory. Our group is so diverse and going to be so much fun! It's shaping up to be amazing already!
Of course there's always the $$money$$ factor that can be the most stress.......and of course the cost of the trip has already changed and increased.......and of course that's to be expected. BUT this time, I'm so not worried! God provided a way before and He will not short change me this time either. This time around I am eager to WATCH how He shows Himself and paves the path so smoothly..........
My last journey to Haiti.......I was very moved by the song "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin. The lyrics just spoke to my heart about the country and it's distress since the earthquake and how clearly God has greater plans for the people of Haiti. BUT this time it has a different feel. This time I am emotionally attached to these children. I have met them already. I know so many by name and have touched their sweet faces and loved on them......this time, it's personal. This time I will look eagerly through the crowd to find my sweet Sophia and race to her! This time, it will be familiar and I will feel back at home. This time, it means more......because this time I've ached to be there. I have prayed for these children by name and I dream of their faces and I long to hold them again. This time......it feels different. And I can't wait.
So last night.....listening to my current favorite CD......Christy Nockles "Life Light Up". The very last song on that CD is "By Our Love". It really shakes me to the core every time......it just simply speaks volumes of the hows/whys I feel so drawn to go back and to continue going back......
I was moved even more when I was searching for a link to the song to post on here. I came across Christy Nockle's "why" of writing the song.....and then I really understood WHY this song gets me the way it does. Because like Christy.....I want my children to "get it". I want them to see with their own eyes what we do out of our over pour of love for Christ. I want them to see that as Christians we are to love everyone---even those half way around the world. I want them to know that God will always be there for us when we are faithful---that going to the hard places is what we do.....it's part of our walk with Him. I desire it to be their desire to live such a life as well. Here's what Christy said about writing this song.......
********Songwriting is such an amazing process to me... Long before there were lyrics or even a melody for this song, I knew it would be on my record. My husband Nathan and I would talk about songs during the writing process and I'd say, "remember there will be a song called "By Our Love". I had one tiny melodic idea for it, but that was it really... This song really took shape the morning after a very special gathering with our new church family in Atlanta. It was one of those sweet times together in God's presence that I will never forget. Our two oldest children were a part of that gathering, and even though their eyes could barely stay open towards the end of our worship time that night, my prayer was that they'd somehow sense and grasp the presence of God in that place and remember it. I realized more than ever that night that I want my children to "get it." I want them to understand that you can't have worship without love and justice. Our songs must have hands and feet, and they must go into the darkest places of the world. The distractions that our children are exposed to in this country and their desensitized minds and hearts became like a heavy brick on my heart. My prayer is that God will allow my children to see with His eyes and love with His hands in their lifetime...that they might "stand firm in the truth and set their hearts above". How can we show them most effectively that it's "by our love" that we are set apart and "by our love" that we show Jesus to the world. I can recall some amazing moments from my childhood that my parents faithfully exposed me to worship, and also lived lives of love to those around us. I have vivid memories of my mom, in particular, involving me in random acts of kindness. I have an early memory of her driving me to the home of a little girl from our church, who had no mother, and a father who could barely care for her. She took down the little girl's measurements that day and in the following weeks, made her a beautiful Easter dress. My mom was also the one who sat with me for hours at the piano, teaching me worship songs and how to sing harmonies. My mother understood worship and justice, and because she involved me, I remember and I understand...I've always been intrigued by Ephesians 5:19, it says, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." There is an exhortation that songs can carry with them, and I believe even modern worship songs can have that feel and purpose, as many of the old hymns did. My prayer is that this song might be a song we sing to each other when it's appropriate...a reminder and a "calling forth" of those whom we walk life with, whom we parent and lead...to live lives of deep love for Jesus' sake. ********
TO LIVE LIVES OF DEEP LOVE FOR JESUS' SAKE!!! ..........................amen!
