One of my favorite days of ministry thus far in India was at the local elementary school. We went dressed to paint their new building and ended up in a chapel with 800 small children. I was pretty much in heaven, as I adore small children. It was their weekly primary school chapel, and every class had a performance. I watched a 3 year old give the most beautiful rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ that I have ever heard (sorry, Josh Groban). As we watched kids no older than 9 dance and sing for the Lord, I felt inspired.
I had an inkling that we would have to get on stage and introduce ourselves and we were, in fact, called upon to do so. I was fine with that. I know my name pretty well at this point in life and saying it in front of a large group didn’t phase me. We went through our names and stood on stage awkwardly, not knowing what we should do next. The principal, wanting us to do more, asked if any of us had something to say. We all sat there blankly staring at him, as none of us had prepared for this. Looking around, the principal called out “Elisabeth, do you have something to share.” Immediately, I froze for a moment realizing he had just called out my name – probably because mine was the only one he remembered. I smirked, nodded silently, and walked to the podium, with absolutely no idea what I was about to say. I quickly shot up a prayer, saying “God, speak through me… PLEASE.” And did he ever.
I put either hand on the sides of the podium, as I was pretty sure that was what you were supposed to do at a podium. I don’t have much podium experience. And just like that, wearing a pair of black Columbia shorts, bright orange sneakers and a grey t-shirt that reads “I woke up like this”, I bent my head forward to reach the microphone and started speaking to this room of 800 students, and about 50 faculty members and staff (hoping to channel the message on my shirt, clearly).
The children had sang “Jesus Loves Me” right before we introduced ourselves and they sang it with such fervor and excitement, I couldn’t handle the cuteness. At the podium I started talking in Michael Scott fashion – not quite sure what I was saying but hoping it would all string together somehow – and God handled it. What He spoke through me wasn’t just for the 800 students, though. I believe it’s for you (and me) too. Here’s the gist:
When I was a little girl I sang “Jesus Loves Me” with the same excitement and joy, but I didn’t realize what I was saying. I wasn’t simply singing a nursery rhyme or any old song. I was speaking an awesome truth over my life and the magnitude of that truth is one I didn’t recognize at the tender age of 5. Jesus loves me… THE CREATOR OF THE EARTH AND ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL AND THE GALAXY… He loves me. He loves me so much that He died for me so that I could live and spend my entire life with Him. He created me. He knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He wrote everyday of our lives out in His book of life before we existed (Psalm 139:16). THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT IS INSANE (also you should read Psalm 139). He has plans for each and every one of us so why would we fear? He is in control and commands us not to fear. We just have to trust in Him and accept that love.
I know, it sounds so simple and it was supposed to be because I was speaking to a room of mostly 3 – 10 year olds. But wow, have we become numb. Numb to the fact that “Jesus loves us”. He loves us so much. Even if we are wearing a shirt that says “I woke up like this”. Numb to how incredibly cool that is. I hope that each and every one of you will sing that song you learned when you were kids and believe it. Speak it over your life:
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong. YES Jesus loves me. YES Jesus loves me. YES Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.”
