Seems that lately my life can be played out in a variety of worship songs. This was a CRAZY week. Up super early and to bed around midnight each night. But it was also incredibly powerful. We were at Youth Arise International in Brisbane. Our team led the "Blaze" track (ages 13-15). It was one of the larger Days in the Diocese events for Brissy. It was amazing to say the least. We were in our sessions with the youth, and then together with everyone for the large sessions. I have never been to a Youth Arise conference, and it was truly life changing. They have them in different countries and have a Young Adults conference in the US as well as a mission school (www.youtharisena.org). They do incredible work for evangelization. Their staff raises their own support and strives to go wherever they are called. Most recently they are in China. Check out www.partnership4china.net. This is one of the efforts they are making. Recently God has been laying China on my heart a lot. Just really making me realize how incredibly blessed we are to be able to worship freely, and how the Chinese, even this very moment, are being tortured and imprisoned if caught worshiping. Makes the whole World Youth Day experience even more precious when you know what some risk in the name of Jesus. Oh that we were all that brave and devoted. I would like to think that I would put my family and life on the line, but I honestly think it would be hard for me to lay down my life. Which is humiliating, seeing that HE laid his down for me. Especially when I consider he was beautiful and sinless, while I fall a hundred times daily. Makes me want to sing all the louder, knowing that there are people who are forced to silence their praise.
There is a song called, "Your Grace Is Enough." The chorus says,
So remember your people, remember your children, remember your promise oh God. Your grace is enough, yeah your grace is enough for me.Every time I sing this song, I think about how there are 6.4 billion people on the earth. And how each and every single person is thought of by God. How he sees each one of our hearts and longs for relationship with each individual. Not just to know the masses, but to intimately know EACH INDIVIDUAL heart. And when I think of this I am AMAZED. But also, when I sing this song, I am reminded of Abraham begging for Sodom and Gomorrah. How he bartered with God to save the cities if he could find just 50 righteous people... then 40, then 30, 20, then finally just 10. God would spare EVERYONE if Abraham could just find 10 righteous people in the city. He couldn't.
It makes me wonder though, as I have become more and more aware of all the atrocities and hate that exists in the world, will God ever get to that point with us again? And that is why I sing this song with such passion. Remember your people God... Remember your children. I imagine myself begging him to remember us... ALL of us, even if we do not know him. Or if we reject him. Or hate him. That HE would remember us. And those of us who choose to sing should beg for the mercy for all those who refuse to sing. Reminding God... remember your promise. That your grace IS enough. The grace of Jesus Christ is ALL we need. Seems so simple, it's almost hard to believe. But perhaps that is the point. There is a scripture that says, "Give as it was given to you. Freely." I can never get there, but the goal is to love this way. To give away our love and forgiveness freely, as Jesus loved us. I know that I do not want my sins to be remembered. So how can I hold another's against them? Something I continue to strive for...
Another song I am LOVING right now is by Matt Maher (www.mattmahermusic.com)
Everything I am, Everything I long to be. I lay it down, at your feet.
Everything I am, Everything I long to be. I lay it down, at your feet.
I lay it down, I lay it down, I lay it down, at your feet.
I lay it down, I lay it down, I lay it down, at your feet.
Oh Pearl of Greatest Price, no act of sacrifice, can match the gift of life, I find within YOUR gaze. Oh what a sweet exchange. I die to rise again. Lifted up from the grave, into your hands of grace.
I have really been thinking about my life. What is my purpose. Why I am here. I have lots of thoughts, but I suppose the one that stands out above all the others is that I am made to worship and share the Good News. At a recent concert, Matt was talking about being "Empty and Beautiful" (also the name of his latest album). That is what I believe to be our purpose in life. To be poured out as a libation. That when we exit this life, we have nothing, because we gave it all away. We shared everything we have been blessed with. It makes full sense to me. We can't take it with us, and when we share our gifts, they grow and bless others. In turn, we are blessed. A perfect plan, hey? Obviously not invented in the hearts of man.
I am heading out in an hour for Sydney to attend World Youth Day. We are leaving at 3 am for the 12 hour drive, which they are guesstimating will take about 24 hours due to all the pilgrims. Praise God! God has been working in my heart (as He does in all of us). So please pray for me, especially for wisdom and a heart of discernment. And also, that God would send me someone to share my vision. I have felt strongly for years that I am called to marriage, but about a month ago, I felt a strong calling to begin to pray for my future spouse. No idea why, but I have been asking for prayers for that, so any are appreciated.
Know you are all in my prayers. The theme for WYD is "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit falls on you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." Thank you for the amazing witness all of you remain to me. May God bless you abundantly.
