Last week, I went to Haiti. I could write a book on just that week (and hopefully I’ll get more written down eventually, it was an important trip) but for now I’d like to share a memory with you that has lingered as a much-needed reminder for me this week. Sitting in an outdoor Haitian church gathering overlooking the ocean, a 65 acre property that I’d grown to love, and the sweet faces of the sweet village children, we began to sing worship. After enjoying listening to a few unknown songs in Haitian Creole, I recognized a tune. Much to the surprise of the sweet 7 year old in my lap, I sang along as the people of the village raised their voices (and a trumpet… yes it was incredible) to one of my favorite hymns: Blessed Assurance. I got to sing side by side with these wonderful people; “This is my story, this is my song.”
St. Augustine of Hippo wrote “Lord… you have created us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Lately I have been feeling that restlessness. I have been trying to rest in other things, things which have left me feeling insecure, in-genuine, unfulfilled, unimpassioned, frustrated…. the list goes on. We are doing a book study as a squad before we all meet for the first time at training in August, and I was recently struck with a section on identity. It points out that in our every day life we may feel defined by our shortcomings, our explosive tendencies, or our less-than-ideal actions and ask ourselves “who am I becoming?” When we step out into what God has for us and live our best life, we find ourselves defined by HIS compassion, HIS joy, HIS peace and the beautiful moments HE places us in.
I have the great blessing of living in a community of very intentional-question-asking people. We don’t often settle for small talk. My classic question is “what are you passionate about” or “what makes your heart beat?” Another guy always asks, “what is your story?” Mmmm. What a question. Too often, I think my story is about me but that is selfish, and it isn’t even in my best interest. I’ve realized I don’t want it to be. Me is messy, me is broken, the stories I live are not always a happy ending and the songs that I write or identify with aren’t always up-lifting. I want to be defined by the beauty of this hymn, being blessed and assured because my story and my song are defined by the praise of my Savior.
Join me in praying that we can step into this truth, me on the World Race (in just 2 short months, wow!) and you wherever God leads you. He guides us there so intentionally to sing His song and tell His story. Let’s praise him all the day long.
