testimony of a child:
a young girl
stands alone
atop a hill planted
deep in the pasture
as the sun gleams brightly
on her bare shoulders
her white dress
flows freely
in the gentle breeze
her dark hair
falling gently
down her back
her brown eyes
full of light
curiosity
wonder
security
look up to the sky
she extends her arms
and begins to dance
freely
she closes her eyes
and smiles
this Embrace
she’s lost in,
and so she’s found
-2018
I don’t often share poetry I write. But, I’m learning a vulnerability and victory through Christ’s love that is too good not to share. This poem speaks to my heart more than words can explain. It speaks to the journey God had prepared for my life. It speaks to the great glory and power of testimony. For the last season, I’ve been apart of a spiritual formation program at Moody Bible Institute. It has been extremely influential in my spiritual growth to say the least. (More on this in a later blog) A few months ago, I wrote the above poem reflecting on my identity and deep belonging as a daughter of Christ. As children of God, we are loved unconditionally and sacrificially to wholeness. We are given vitality and purpose through this identity that supersedes anything we could do or discover on our own. In surrender, embraced by our Father, I know who I am.
‘For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as children, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him’ (Romans 8:14-17)
God’s love and embrace is the root of my being. I admit, for much of my relationship with Christ, the journey has been about my heart, its redemption, how I am loved. But growing into God’s fullness, what does it mean to be an heir of God? A coheir with Christ? Accepting an identity as a child of God is the foundation to receiving God’s love. It’s by grace I accept an identity as Christ’s. By more grace, He grows me. And in even more grace and abiding, the outflow of His Love in my heart allows me to become His ambassador.
The importance and grace of abiding in our identity to Love comes to clear illustration in the gospels. ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does not bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vines, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he that bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be complete in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you to do. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that wherever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.‘ (John 15:1-17).
In Christ, we are not simply children. We are not simply called to be branches nourished by Love. Oh, what a gift to receive His love and identity. But, oh what a calling to receive His love and authority to bear His fruit for others.
As May is upon us, the days until launch continue to disappear! This stirs up a host of emotions—but mostly peace, excitement and a fullness of gratitude for the life I am privileged to live and for the relationships God has blessed me with. In just a month, I will be flying to Atlanta, Georgia to meet my team for an intensive time of training and preparation. After this training camp, launch date will come rolling in quickly. Preparations are in full effect. If you live in Holland, you may see me hiking with my pack down the sidewalks or at the beach. (haha!). In my heart, I continue learning to claim the victory of Christ and am challenged to grow the measure of my faith as this dream is quickly becoming my reality. I am thankful, endlessly, for this season to bask and intentionally devote myself to growth. More than anything else, I am thankful for my belonging to Christ and the ways He is guiding me to become a stronger ambassador for His kindgom. I am undeserving and humbled by God‘s endless love and grace; He chooses to use sinners, redeemed in His goodness to further His love.
In Christ, we are loved as children and grown to be ambassadors.
