“A beautiful sound”
This is what I was told my name means back when I was in Japan. I was sitting at the dinner table with a family from the church community we were serving at and I was practicing writing my name in Japanese. The girls saw what I wrote and they asked me, “do you know what your name means to us?” And I said, “no what does it mean?” And that is when she told me it means a beautiful sound. I just about started crying because I have told myself a lot throughout my life that my voice didn’t really matter all that much. I thought I moved past this lie a year ago, but I found myself believing this lie again. This month the enemy has been attacking me by making me feel like I don’t have a voice. That I don’t matter. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. God loves our voices. I’m learning to be comfortable with who I am in Christ and being okay with sharing. And when we use our voices to lift each other up, to process together, to grow in community together, and to do life together, all of our voices are so beautiful.
I’ve only been on the Race for a little less than a month and already there have been lies coming into the light. It’s so freeing!! I’m not going to lie, I’ve had my ups and downs this month. I’ve had days where I have been on the verge of tears, where I was sick, and when I was downright exhausted. But the ups far outweigh the downs. The smiles in the children, the friendly waves of locals greeting us every time we walk by, the openness of culture and hospitality, and the friendships forming have been the most beautiful moments I will treasure forever. I’m also very thankful for the girls I’ve been placed with. They have helped me unpack some things and helped me realize more truths about me that I haven’t realized myself. God knew what He was doing when He brought us all together. We are doing this whole next year of life together and I’m excited to see how everyone will grow and change into the person God wants them to be… including me!
I thought being on the Race would allow me the free time to dive into the Word for long periods of time but it isn’t always the case sometimes. Sometimes the locals come and say hey we are having a meeting so we need the space or kids come three hours before they are supposed to or plans change and we are on the move again. It’s all about being flexible. But when we do get those precious moments with God, I am blown away by what He shows me. I was doing SOAP the other day and I felt led to read Ephesians 2:7 which says, “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness towards us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”
So God can point to us. Out of this whole entire chapter, this line stood out to me the most. So God can point to us. That means you and I. Like who am I to be someone God can point to and say “Look at my beautiful daughter. Look at how I have made her whole. Look at how she is growing and thriving because of my grace and kindness. Look at her. I am so proud of her.” ?? And it’s not even just about me. He does this to each and every one of His children. Just take a moment to let that sink in. I know in context Paul is writing to the Ephesians, but in my heart, I see this to be true for everyone who is united in the Body of Christ.
Wow. Like this is such a true statement because that is what a lot of the Old and New Testament is. God is pointing to those who gave their lives to follow God so we (future generations) can see them as examples of God’s goodness. That will be us too! We will be the ones God points to, to show others of His mercy and goodness. It’s been going on for over two thousand years and it’s still going. It was just so powerful in the moment that I wanted to share it with you all. Just another way God blows our minds by how carefully put together the Book of Life is and how intentional God is.
