My Seasons of "Why?"

I remember sitting on the gator, overlooking the land I had grown to love, the land that raised me, the land that ran through my blood, and screaming "Why Lord, Why?!" My sister was in the house, laying in a state of depression, pumping nourishment for a life no longer lived, my brother-in-law walking around in a grief induced trance, my family was falling a part before my eyes, and we were about to bury a little body, not much longer than my arm, a little over 8 pounds, dark headed dark eyed little princess. And all I could scream is "Why?!" "Why Lord? This is not right, this is not fair, why do You Who supposedly loves me so much, take away something so special?" We sang "It is well..." with "Great is Thy faithfulness..." We walked together as a family and the casket was lowered to the sounds of a violin in the distance, exactly one year after the first great loss of our family. My grandmother...and now my niece. Two Novembers, two losses, two questions of "Why?"
Time passed and my grandfather began the descent to his deathbed, my family grew a part. I made the decision to move away, follow the Lord on a sabbatical. But before I moved, I stayed with him. I remember sitting on the side of the nursing home bed, watching to see if he was breathing. Praying for the next gasp of air to fill his lungs, knowing the end was near but longing for just a few more moments. He was my hero, my role model, perfectly imperfect, yet the epitome of Jesus here on earth, humble, caring, giving, loving. I opened a container of ice cream, as I pulled back the top, a smile appeared on the wrapper, my Creator was there, present, watching everything unfold. I would hold the container for bile and fluids to spill from his mouth. I would hold his hand letting him know it was okay to meet his Creator. As I left his room that evening, I knew it would be the last. A call in the night, confirming my spirit, he was gone. Another "Why Lord?' "Why take the man I adore, the man I long to be like?" Four years, three losses, three "Whys?"
Still grieving, I moved to another city, another state. I began a life a part from all that I had known. As I am there friendships crumble and a sister in Christ falls to the ways of the world. My home never sells, new tenants trash my home, my job reopens, the place I spent a year on sabbatical becomes just that, a year of sabbatical. I returned to find a sister in a state of ruin, a home needing repair, and a job paying less than I am able to live on. Five years, four losses, four "Whys?"
I remember sitting on my bed, holding my leg. I had just come in from a run, burning pain shooting down to my foot, pressure filling the compartment, something was wrong. I tried to push through but pushing caused the pain to worsen. I could not run. All I could ask was "Why Lord? I am healthy, I am not obsessing over exercise. I am running and enjoying your creation. Why the pain?" Six years, five losses, five "Whys?"
As I moved into the next year, pain still radiating down my leg, tests and more tests, needles and doctor's visits, laid hands and prayers, financial loss, loss of exercise, I moved forward with surgery. A surgery that no one knew the outcome, a surgery that even the doctor said may or may not work. At the same time I was deciding whether my injury could be repaired, my uncle was fighting a disease that none should have to fight. He was facing death in the eyes. He would never walk again, never run again, never have the opportunity to make the decision "Can my disease be repaired?" A man I admired, a man that gave generously, loved unconditionally, battled graciously, a hero in life and a hero of faith, fought for his life. As I stood next to his grave, speaking from the heart to a family torn a part by years of loss, and a few weeks later, as I laid there, leg in a wrap, in a drug induced haze, knowing the road ahead looked grim, the question again arose in my spirit, "Why?!" "Why Lord, why take the life of a young man with a wife and two children who need him, why allow an injury to take my ability to run to exercise to enjoy life, why more debt more financial loss more difficulty?" Seven years, seven losses, seven "Whys?"
Finally a year without loss, a year of new friendships, of renewed vigor for life, a desire for a change in career, spiritual growth, still financial hardships, still dealing with healing of my injury, but a hope had come from the ashes. Friends placed on my path for such a time as this, the Lord giving the ones I need to bring His plan to fruition. Still seeking clarity of future, direction, job, still struggling with unfulfilled desires, but a feeling I was being prepared for something. A feeling of all of these things are preparing me to step into the role He has specifically prepared. And then as a new year started...I remember sitting in the room, three faces blankly staring at me. Three faces of used to be friends, now turned enemies. And his words lowered down like a ton of bricks on my soul. Ten years of ministry of mission of loving of serving....gone. Even knowing I had done nothing, that grace and mercy did not exist in their minds, that there was no logical reason, that it was the last arrow shot at the target on my back, did not matter. I was hurt angry upset deeply saddened. A week later, and the "Whys?" now arise. I sit here unable to speak unable to pray unable to focus. All I can weakly gasp is "Why Lord? Why pull out from under me the children I love so dearly, the lives I pray for daily? Why leave me with bills to pay and no means to pay? Why Lord?" Nine years, eight losses, eight "Whys?"
As with all the losses, beauty will spring from the ashes. Less than a year after losing my niece, new life filled the womb once again. Three years later and three days before her going home anniversary, another niece was welcomed into the world. Five days before surgery, a nephew joined the family. Life  has been given to the family that was hurting, laughter replaces tears. Joy replaces depression. Financially, bills have always been paid, through the panic He has always provided. Restoration and growth in my sister in Christ's life has been a testimony to all, a friendship renewed and restored, a life on fire for the Father. Two races ran nine months after surgery, the Lord heals, sometimes His ways are mysterious, but He heals. Leaving behind scars, reminders of His continued faithfulness and provision. Friendships have blossomed, people placed in my life to point me towards the calling He has placed over my life. Friend's children I claim as my own, loving and guiding them towards a great Father, sharing in their lives and becoming a family chosen. Children to love on, teach, guide, protect, care for, serve faithfully...a new mission. There are still "Whys?" As I sit here fighting another great "Why?!" As I sit here unable to pray unable to focus unable to speak, I know this is just a season. For there is a season for everything, and questioning and doubting and asking "Why?!"...it is okay...for a season. For with each season of "Why?!" weeping may last for the night, but joy will come in the morning, and I know that when the morning breaks, there will come with it great clarity, great vision, great direction. 

When Life Doesn't Make Sense

Three full weeks, Daniel was in mourning and was fasting. No sweets, no meat, no wine...He had heard a word and it had deeply troubled him, throwing him into mourning. From previous chapters we can make the sound assumption he was also praying, as he always had done. He was a man of consistency,  a man of sound character, a man of discipline.  On the twenty-fourth day of the month, after three full weeks of fasting, Daniel has a vision. He is lacking strength, he is left alone, and he falls on his face into a deep sleep. The Man in the vision touches him and speaks five powerful words, "Oh Daniel, man greatly loved." Here in the midst of mourning, of conflict within his spirit over the words he had received, the Father reached down and reminded him, "Son...you are greatly loved!'' The Man continues "Stand up, I have sent you, I have chosen you...fear not, from day one of you knowing Who I Am and humbling yourself before Me, I have heard your words. I have heard your prayers; I have not forgotten them. Your prayers are what have brought me here to you, right now, in this moment. I know the words you have received and they are tough. They are hard to understand, but fear not, I...am...here...now." Sometime life doesn't make sense. In the midst of trouble and fasting we hear the Father saying "YOU ARE LOVED!" and all we can do is respond as Daniel responds, "I have no words to say; I have no breath to breathe; I have not one ounce of strength left in me. I am afraid; I am anxious. The words that I have received have spiraled me into a time of deep mourning and fasting, and I have nothing left inside of me." Sometimes life doesn't make sense. In the moment of everything caving in, in the moment of no strength, no words, all fear and anxiety, in the moment where life does not make sense, the Man reaches down, touches us, and says "Oh child...child greatly loved. Fear not, be strong, be courageous, be bold, be of good courage, peace be over you and through you and with you." As the Man spoke, Daniel was strengthened; as the Man speaks, WE are strengthened. As the words fell from the lips of the Man, energy rushed back through the veins of Daniel; peace from the Spirit shot through his body; bravery courage boldness pierced the fear and anxiety, and he was able to stand. He was able to receive the assignment the Father had prepared for him, the words he needed to deliver, the visions of things yet to come. Sometimes life doesn't make sense. Like Daniel, we faithfully attempt to follow the Father; we faithfully desire to be a man or woman who does as "he always did." We speak truth, stand for what is right, what is noble what is pure what is holy what is just. We try to model our life our vision our inner being after the One Who created us, Who saved us, Who sustains us. And life just doesn't make sense. People leave us, people set out to destroy us, friendships fall a part, coworkers neglect to defend us, loved ones harm us, marriages fall a part, loved ones return to their Maker, jobs are loss, finances are depleted, health is taken, character is challenged, reputation is shaken. The evil that surrounds the earth somehow entangles us in her horrible snare. And we are left like Daniel, mourning, fasting, lacking strength, lacking words to pray, on the brink of fear and anxiety overwhelming us. In that moment, the Father gently touches us, and reminds us "Oh Child, Child you are greatly loved. I have heard your prayers, from the day I created you and chose you to be mine, from the moment I drew your spirit to mine, and you humbled yourself before Me and became My child, I have heard your prayers.Your prayers are what brought me to you right now, in this moment. Fear not, child, be brave. Be bold. Be courageous. Peace be with you. Your assignment in life may not be easy, your lot in life will be filled with difficulties, but I have not forgotten you. I have not neglected you. Press on. There will be joy that comes in the morning. There will be blessings that come from perseverance. You are greatly loved...and I am faithfully good." 

When life doesn't make sense, may we do as Daniel did, faithfully keep praying,  faithfully keep seeking, never forgetting the promises of truth.  

My Christmas Prayer...

As I look down and see December 8 glaring from my watch, I pause...and think to myself....will time ever slow down? I hurry about my morning, finishing putting the last few ornaments on the tree, hang a couple Christmas cards on the cabinet door...and realize...time does not slow down, the older you are, the faster it seems to move...Yet, this Christmas, I pray...

May I savor each moment as if it were the first....the moment I held my first ornament, baked my first Christmas cookie with my mom, held my first newborn, sung my first Christmas carol.
May I slow down Christmas and not worry about the schedule, about the doing, and start living in the being...making time "to be" with friends I cherish, with family, with the Word became Flesh.
May the love I have shine through the gifts I give...the ornaments chosen with care, the gifts prayed over and picked for such a Christmas as this....because the true heart of Christmas is in the giving.
May I truly listen to the carols of the season....as they all echo the truth of His Word...O come ALL ye faithful, Joy to the world the Lord has come, Silent night holy night Son of God loves pure light, Go tell it on the mountain.
May I laugh and smile at the sights and sounds....lights glittering in the night, bells ringing outside the stores, children smiling as the see a jolly old man, people laughing as the remember times of old.
May I remember the sense of awe and wonder I had as a child....a Baby came to save the world, gifts under the tree, angels singing in jubilee.
May I serve relentlessly, give willingly, love unconditionally...for Christmas is about a baby, born to serve, born to give, born to love...and I was created in His image.
And may I remember Christmas is a season, it comes, it goes...and in life, seasons change, they come and they go, but Christ came so that through each season, we have hope.

So through the joyful of Christmases, through the saddest of Christmases...and I have experienced both... we have a hope. We have a joy, we have a peace. "I bring you good news of great joy, for unto you is born this day, A SAVIOR...Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is well pleased."

Though They Hate Me...

"And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job.." Job, a faithful servant of the Father, blessed by many sons daughters and riches, only to have the Father Himself look at Satan and say, "What about my son Job?" I have been 'stuck' in the book of Job for months now and as I sit here, as I read these words again, I wonder if the Father has looked at Satan and said, "Satan, have you considered my daughter Jynne? She has known me from the beginning of her life, I believe she will be faithful to me." Inside I know there is a fine line between the enemy attacking and the Father testing, I know there will be trials tribulations and tests. I know the enemy will turn good into evil yet the Father will press in and prune and put us through the fire so that we become precious jewels in His sight. Job was loved by the Father yet hated by the world. He stood for truth, he worked ethically, he submitted to authority, he loved abundantly, yet the Father considered Him righteous and faithful enough to give Satan the authority to rob him of so much. Yet Job in His distress cried out to the Father "Though You slay me I will not lose hope! Though You ruin me I will still hope in You!" It was as if He knew the Words in John that would be penned thousands of years later, "You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy...no one will take your joy from you." It was as if the Spirit had given him a foreknowledge of the truth in John 15 and 16. Abide in Me and I will abide in you, I will prune you, I will press you in closer to me, yet abide in Me. I have chosen you, you did not choose Me, I CHOSE YOU, I appointed you long before the world began that you would go and bear much fruit, that your fruit would abide in me. I CHOSE YOU. I did not create you to be of this world, I created you to be of ME. The world will hate you, the world will discredit you, the world will attempt to destroy your character, the world will harden their hearts against you, but ultimately it is all because they do not know me! They hated Me long before they hated you, they hated Me without cause just as they hate you without cause! I came to forgive, I came to set free, I came to bring people to the Father, and they hated me. And just as they hated me they will hate you as well, because you, you are my representation here on earth. You are my vessel of truth to the darkness. They will hate you, they will attempt to destroy you, they will speak lies, they will harden their hearts, they will target you, but remember I have chosen YOU. Before time began before you were formed in your mother's womb I chose you. For this time for this season. Abide in me, abide in my Spirit. You have something your brother Job did not have. You have the power of the Holy Spirit, my Helper, living inside of you. And HE will bear witness for you, He will be my witness in meetings in conferences in times of trouble. HE is my witness and He is your witness and in times of trials He speaks on my behalf on your behalf. Why? Because you have been with Me from the beginning. While you have seen your life in me as inadequate as your testimony one of little importance, I have not. You have been my child for as long as your memories allow, you have been with Me from the beginning and I have not forgotten you. You will bear witness to those around you of My truth of My hope of My Word. Speak truth though they hate you, act in love though they hate you, hold to my Word though they hate you. Your sorrow will last for a night but your joy returns in the morning. You will have sorrow you will have tests you will have suffering you will be hated, but NO ONE and NOTHING can take away the JOY you have in me. Remember that my child, NO ONE can take away your joy. Though they hate you, you love ME. Though they attempt to ruin you though they attempt to harden their hearts and not listen just as Pharaoh had his heart hardened, I still prevailed. I still brought freedom from the suffering of my people and I will you as well. The Spirit is with you, listen to Him, speak to Him, He is waiting to declare all that is to come to you, He is ready to take all that is mine and make it known to you, listen to Him, be one in Spirit with Him. Your sorrow may have lasted for a night but rise above your sorrow. I am declaring to you that which is to come and though this is testing you, I have not forgotten you just as I did not forget your brother Job. Abide in me...just as you have from the beginning. 

To All Singles Everywhere...

Not too long ago, I was listening to the local Christian music station during their morning prayer time. As the DJ was praying, she mentioned a young woman that desperately wanted to be married. At the time I wanted to jump through the radio and scream, "NOOOOO!!!" If you are so desperate to be married you have to call your local radio station for prayer, we need to talk! I was honestly about to call the prayer line get the poor woman's number and have a little "bless your heart" heart to heart conversation. And while I still desire to speak to that young woman, I have calmed down and my heart simply hurts for her. It hurts because I see her pain, I see her desires, and I can echo them in my own heart. It hurts because I see her, along with so many young women (and men) who live their lives in desperation of desires that they forget the life that is happening right now, at this moment, in this day, in this season of their lives. They have become so focused on finding Mr Right that they have forgotten The Right One is pursuing their body soul and spirit daily. They have become so filled with self that they have forgotten to pour out self and give and serve. They have been lost in a crowd of ministries that they have forgotten how to minister. They have been so burned by the church by women by life that they have hidden beneath a surface of superficial smiles and conversational one-liners because why go deeper to only be hurt, why go deeper to only be over looked.
A few years ago, I was sitting in a hot pink living room on a pristine white sofa holding a cup of coffee and talking to an amazing woman, who happened to be single (and still is single!). As we sat talking, a stirring came up in my soul, a stirring that only the Spirit can give. I looked across the room and saw a woman who loved the Lord who desired to be married but who lived life to the fullest, never looking to the things she did not have but always taking account for the things she did have. As I sat there feeling the Spirit rise within me, I began to think of all the other women I had been watching for years, a leader who lived her life over seas serving in Asia; a young woman who moved to South Carolina, works in a food and wine industry that desperately needs Jesus, and daily makes the lives of those around her happier simply because she loves Jesus; a young woman who is ministering in the darkest places of Los Angeles, able to get behind curtains and doors into dressing rooms and clubs simply because she cares for the broken. The list of single women living life to the fullest and loving Jesus started mounting in my mind and it began to pour into my Spirit. And in that moment I realized, I too had been given a gift. I had been given the gift of singleness. I had been able to live over seas, move to different cities, attend graduate school, work in various schools, minister in various churches and I had been living life to the fullest, without even realizing the value of the gift I had been given.
As I sit here the enemy likes to lie. He likes to cover our thoughts with ugly reminders of the things we do not have, he likes to take our thoughts and turn them back into the times of hurt and pain, he likes to remind us of our often over looked passed by selves. He likes to take the things we are the strongest at especially as strong independent opinionated women and make us feel weak and unloved and unapproachable.
So to all singles everywhere, it is time to rise up. It is time to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back in the ball game of life. You have been given a gift that not many have been given, the gift of singleness. While you have careers and jobs, bills and homes, flat tires and dirty dishes, and you are often misunderstood to have an abundance of free time, a late to bed time and an even later waking up time, you can be understood. You have desires and dreams and passions and goals and just because you are single does not mean they are not legitimate.  You have gifting and talent that need to be used. You were not given singleness as a gift for yourself, you were not given passions desires gifts and talents to be used for your glory and to serve you. You were given singleness to give, you were given passions and desires to be fulfilled and bring glory to the One who gave them. You were given gifts and talents to serve and minister. The only way to change the hearts and minds of others is to change your heart and mind first and then to love on them, serve them, and minister to them. If you are dwelling in your singleness, then all around you will dwell with you. If you are living in the fullness of your gift then all around you will live in the fullness of theirs. Nothing negates the hurt the pain the sorrow and suffering you feel and go through, the loneliness the questions the doubts the fears. They are legitimate and they are real. But nothing negates the truth, and the truth is you were created for this season for this moment for this time. Everything under the sun has a season, there is a time for everything, there is a time to mourn but do not stay there. There is a time to question but do not live there. The Father wrote your script long before you came into being, He knew exactly the moment and the days before you were a thought. He has written your story and there is no Greater Author than He.
To all singles everywhere, please negate calling your local radio station, for your sake and for mine. And remember this is a season that many do not get to experience, live it in abundance live it in excitement live it in joy, because it is a season that is here today and gone tomorrow. For He knows the plans He has for you, plans of a hope and a future.

Dear Jynne...Yes, You're 35 Now...

Thirty-five...thirty-five...It does not matter how many times you say it or how many different ways you say it. You are still thirty-five. And be grateful you are, the other option, while it means seeing Me, your Saviour face to face, well, it's not the option I believe you desire in the immediate future. So here you sit, in your comfy over sized chair, writing a letter to yourself, and realizing you have reached a milestone the pinnacle of your thirties. There are two questions that should go through your mind. In fact I know you well, so I am positive they have been constantly running through your mind. First, what have you done with the first thirty-five years of my life and second, what are you going to do with the next? Those are loaded questions, let's be honest. In thirty-five years, you have learned to crawl, learned to walk, learned to run, learned to read write add subtract, graduated high school college and graduate school; you have played basketball high school basketball college basketball; you have played piano and attempted to minor in music; you have sung church choir high school choir Erskine Choraleers; you have started a career, worked at 8 different schools (some at the same time!);  you have lived in 2 countries 3 states and 5 cities and this is not including the friends you have met the family you have loved on. My head is already spinning, and I wrote out this journey for you. I have a feeling the next thirty-five years may be a little more settled...well, in some ways. Yet knowing you so well, I am positive to say that your earthly accomplishments are not what you have been pondering over, thinking through. So when I asked the question "What have you done with the first thirty-five years of life?" You started thinking deeper. So while you are lost in thought, this is what I have seen. I have seen a young girl being called to Christ at 4 years old after a conversation with her mom. I have seen a young child sitting at the feet of missionaries desiring to serve the Lord with the humility and power and strength they did. I have seen a teenager desiring to fit in, have a boyfriend, have people like her, but wanting to live a life the Father desired and fighting the feelings of no one will ever like me, I'm just every guys' friend. I have seen a young woman off to college, feeling the tugging and calling of the Father to put her career on hold and go to a different county to serve His people in Asia. Knowing it wasn't going to be received well, walking with boldness into her professor's office to tell him she was giving up Graduate Assistant positions. I have seen a young woman come alive in the classroom dancing and singing with her students overseas, showing them the love of the Father through actions and deeds because words were unable to be used. I have seen a woman battle in a male dominated career yet do so with strength and dignity. Using love and passion for Christ as her sword and winning hearts of kids from Charlotte to Richmond to Anderson to Durham and back. I have seen young men and women walk into your room in despair and leave with joy and hope. I have seen an army of young people falling in line behind you because you love them, not because they are perfect but because they are people. Every race, every color, every demographic, every orientation, every one...you have never discriminated. You have always loved. You have never condoned but you have never condemned. You have spoken My truth over them and while they may not always seemed listen they have heard it. The seeds have been planted. I have seen you morn loss, I have seen you fight demons, I have seen you question me, I have seen you hit the bottom and have no where but up to go. I have given life and I have taken life from you. I have given finances and I have taken them away. I have given health and I have taken health. My son Job has been your battle cry. I have seen you put your heart on your sleeve and love others with unconditional love. I have seen you become more like your Granddaddy more like your Uncle Dave more like your mom your dad your  sister, the faith of those who have gone before you. So, what have you done in your first thirty-five years? Exactly what I have planned for you to do. Exactly what was planned before you were even a thought on this earth. And now I ask you, "what will you do with the next thirty-five years?" I have had Romans 4 written for you, to you, for hundreds of years. Thankfully you have found it. But I want you to remember Abraham. I gave Him a promise and while he could have laughed and thought I crazy, (which I promise you, he did at times, I just did not have enough pages to write his entire story, but remember he was human and he had his moments)  he never weakened in his faith. Even when he looked at his body and his wife's body, even when he realized her clock had quit ticking and his body was as good as dead. He did not weaken; nothing, nothing caused him to waver concerning My promises to him. He continued growing in his faith, he continued giving Me the glory, and he was fully convinced I was able to do what I had said I would do. And I did not write these words just for Abraham but for you. Never weaken in your faith, though you do not see answers now. Though I have delayed giving you desires, though your checkbook is at zero and your biological clock is slowing down. Never weaken. But continue as you have, continue growing, continue giving me the glory. While I know right now, your next thirty-five years, while I have written the story before you took your first breath, and I have carved it out in due time, if I were to tell you it all right now, you wouldn't be able to handle it. That is why I have given you today. That is why My grace is sufficient for today. That is why My mercies are new every morning. That is why I do not want you to worry about tomorrow. I know your heart, I know your desires, I have seen as you have been faithful in the small things in life. I have seen your failures I have seen your times of questions and doubts. Trust Me. The best is yet to come. There is more to this life here on earth for you. So in times of doubt, remember Abraham. In times of worry remember Abraham. In times of looking at your body and seeing it age, remember Abraham. It was credited to him as righteousness and it will be credited to you the same. So yes Jynne, you are thirty-five now. Press on...press on towards the goal for which I have called you. You're best is yet to come. 

A Titus 2 Generation...

"Please sing me "Amazing Grace"," a sweet little voice speaks into the darkness. "Yes 'mam, my Julia-bug." "Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me..." "Keep singing it Aunt Jynne, please don't stop, sing all the verses." As I left the room that night, I was brought to tears. What a special moment, singing a hymn that has graced so many of life's toughest moments. I knew at 3 years old that my niece didn't truly understand the words, what 3 year old knows the definition to "wretch" or even "grace?" Nor did she understand the meaning, how much grace does a 3 year old need? (Well....on the other hand...she definitely knows what grace is!) But what brought me to tears was the power in the words she requested me to sing. Words that have been sung for generations upon generations. Words that one day she will sing not because she likes the tune, but because they are real and alive to her. Words that one day will bring her through life's valleys and shadows. What brought me to tears is that at 3 years old she is willing to sit at the feet of those who are older and listen to their anthems, hear their stories, and have them repeated to her over and over again. She could have chosen any song, she knows the likes of Laura Story, Shane and Shane, Hillsong, yet she chose a hymn, a song that her great-great-great grandparents once sung. She was, in her childlike way, showing me the importance of being a Titus 2 believer.
There is power in words sung and spoken for generations. And what I fear is that as many are passing on the traditional, we are raising a generation that will not understand nor know the words and faith of our forefathers. How Great Thou Art....Great Is Thy Faithfulness...Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing...Holy, Holy, Holy...A Mighty Fortress Is Our God....Crown Him with Many Crowns...Blessed Assurance...Praise Ye the Lord the Almighty...It Is Well...Take My Life and Let It Be...Faith of Our Fathers...They will not know the declaration of "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.." These and so many more have brought me through so many of life's ups and downs. How many times have I been a part of a worship experience that the room changes and the voices become louder when the worship leader begins singing the words to a hymn. How many times have I seen people start weeping as they struggle to utter the words "It is well...with my soul." How many times have I felt the power of the Spirit as His people declare out loud, in unison, what they believe.
I love modern hymns and anthems. I love the freedom of expression and freedom of worship that flows in those environments. I love music, drums, beats, words and anthems of my generation yet I struggle to forget the generations behind me. I feel some churches have so tried to step away from the traditional that they have almost forgotten there is a generation sitting in their seats who we can learn from, who we can sing their anthems right along with our own. There is a mighty generation of faith in this nation and in the world who are marching closer to their heavenly home and let's not forget them. Let's not forget to include them in our worship, let's not forget to sing together with them the words that they sang as children. Let us not forget the stories they have kept alive through their words and songs. Let's sit at their feet, listen to their wisdom. Let's remember not everyone hated church as a child, not everyone was hurt by the traditional, not everyone felt stifled and oppressed. Let's raise up a generation of children, of youth, who value their Christian forefathers, whether they were Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Methodist. Let's raise a generation who desires to sing the anthems, speak the declarations of faith that their grandparents sang and spoke. Let's raise a Titus 2 generation, a generation who values their elders, a generation who does not think they have it "all together," but knows that they need wisdom knowledge guidance discernment and experiences from generations who have gone before. And let us be a generation who passes on our anthems, our declarations of faith, our hymns and words of freedom and salvation to the generations that come behind us. Let us give the children and youth feet to sit at, shoulders to lean on, words to take with them into their futures. "Older men are to be...older women likewise are to be...so train young women....urge young men. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."