(If you haven’t heard Phillip Phillips’ song “Gone, Gone, Gone” you might want to check it out)
So, I have not talked about a huge part of my life on this blog. But I wanted to save the best for last.
Since 2012, I have worked as a student minister at WC Students. And how do I best put it? All of these people: students, co-workers, and parent volunteers have changed my life.
There is so much to love about WC Students.
But I think one of the greatest things about working in student ministry is the chanting. Chanting, you say? Yes, chanting. No, not to be confused with Channing Tatum (ok, maybe that was a bit of a stretch, but I tried to make that one work).
Really though, in all seriousness, I yearn for chants in a crowded room of people. You know that moment, when the group roars with the repetition of a person’s name. I think it uplifts the human spirit and can transform a once dull room into a connected, goofy family. And usually with WC Students, the chanting happens during a silly game or at mission trips. And when it does, I just soak up the energy and cheesiness of it.
Yet this year, I will not hear the chanting of familiar voices. I will not be surrounded by this amazing group of believers every Wednesday, Sunday, and summer. And I get really bummed out about it.
I was driving home from work one evening and I started to wonder, “What will happen on that day when I am super smelly, gross, exhausted, and feeling alone in my tent— and all I want, is to be around these people who bring joy, love, and truth into my life?”
I frantically thought, “How am I going to do this?”
So I had a little pity party about it and was being a bit of a drama queen in my head. But that all changed when I was interrupted by a familiar song on the radio. It was that Phillip Phillips song, “Gone, Gone, Gone”, and of course I began to obnoxiously sing along.
It was at that moment, this song helped me take the focus off of myself and my worries.
I love songs that speak the truth of God, his promises, and character. This song speaks of one who is willing to do anything for us. Someone who will carry us, catch us, surrender for us, and love us.
As the song played, I realized how I would get through all of the changes this year. As I am apart from the ones I love most, I must remember to rely on Christ:
You’re my back bone.
You’re my cornerstone.
You’re my crutch when my legs stop moving.
You’re my head start.
You’re my rugged heart.
You’re the pulse that I’ve always needed.
It is so comforting to have a Savior who will bring us together, yet continue to strengthen us when we are apart.
I just wanted to let you all know, you guys have changed my life. Yes, we will be apart this next year and we will all enter new seasons and chapters of our lives. But God will remain the same, and the love and joy that you all have poured into my life will never change.
As the song came to an end, I heard it. A sweet reminder. It was the chanting of a beautiful phrase:
Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating.
Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating.
Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating.
Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you.
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31
Happy New Year!!! I am excited to keep in touch 🙂
