You Make Me Brave

Well, it's turned out to be quite an eventful month.
I've found myself in situations where I couldn't even explain how I got there. It's actually happened so much lately that I just have to laugh to myself when I find myself in yet another unexplainable situation under unexplainable circumstances.

What an adventure life is!

I've taken a number of risks in the past month and I'm about to take quite a few more in the next little while! By the time some of you will read this, I will be on my way to Accra, Ghana. What will I be doing there? That's a really good question. It's kind of a "wait and see" kind of thing. I know that I will be interning at a local human rights non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on promoting the rights of children and youth, youth empowerment, and furthering social justice for collective development. What I will actually be doing there, day to day, is to be determined - they said I could be working with lawyers, going to court, visiting other site locations, helping run various events and conferences...I guess we'll see!

The theme song of my life this past month has been a song called "You Make Me Brave." (You can listen to it here.) This song has been my anthem. Before going into rather "scary" situations I would listen to this song and let it remind me of the truth that I am brave, even when I may feel otherwise.
This chorus has been on repeat:

You make me brave 

You make me brave

You call me out beyond the shore 

Into the waves 

You make me brave 

You make me brave 

No fear can hinder now

The promises You've made

This whole summer has been a "calling me out beyond the shore into the waves" kind of thing. The shore, the place where the waves only lap gently around your feet, is comfortable, familiar and safe. If you don't want to get wet, you don't have to!
But waves, waves are unpredictable, undulating.
They're powerful. And dangerous. You're not always safe when the waves come and you're probably going to get very wet!

In the past month or so, I've jumped into the waves doing things I didn't even know I could do. Like getting to teach a couple workshops on human rights and social justice.  Like serving on an election campaign. Like closely interacting and holding my own with seasoned politicians and other influential individuals. The thing is, I never would have known I could do these things if I hadn't tried. If I hadn't thrown myself in the middle of it and if I hadn't left my own comfortable shore. You make me brave!

So I'm about to get very "wet" in the next two months. I'll let you know what that will look like! I'm bursting with excitement for all the new experiences that are waiting for me there.

Here's to not just dipping my feet in but diving in headfirst! 

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I want to change the world.

I recently had a very interesting, random conversation with someone I had never met before, but who quickly became my "best friend" by the end of the conversation, as he put it. I would beg to differ, ha! After introductions and the general "get to know you" type of questions, he asked me one of the first questions that every student asks each other:
"What program are you in?"
I gave my scripted answer, a mouthful - a double major of Human Rights & Human Diversity and Leadership - and he responded, "So you want to change the world, then?"
I didn't have to think hard about that one.
Without skipping a beat, I said, "Yes, actually, I do want to change the world!"
To this he replied, "Me too."

That got me thinking.

I DO want to change the world! Let's be honest here, I want to do something that will impact the lives of people globally; I want to leave a legacy; I want to leave my mark on the world; I want to be someone who stands out in a crowd of faces; I want to be a part of bringing transformation to many lives; I want to change the world.
Is this a selfish want? I don't think so. It really comes down to the motives, to the heart. I don't want to be famous for the sake of being famous. No, I want to make HIM famous. Jesus commissioned us to be agents of transformation when He taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is heaven." It's in our DNA!

I think this desire is at the core of every human being on the planet: we long for significance.
We long to be recognized as individuals.
We long to be seen and to be known.
We long to be a part of something greater.
We were destined for greatness. 
There is greatness in me and there is greatness in you. 

When I was thinking about wanting to change the world, I had a chat with God and asked Him how on earth I was eventually going to get to a place where I could impact the world. The answer made sense but almost seemed too easy, but extremely difficult at the same time.
He said, "It's about obedience. It's about everyday decisions. It's about saying "Yes!" to me each and every single time, even when you think it doesn't make sense. It's about being faithful and obedient in the little things. It's about humility and serving."

Hmph. Not sure if that was the answer I was hoping for, God!

It makes so much sense, though. Leaders are not born overnight. People who have gone down in history did not all of a sudden jump out of the woodwork and hop into a place of influence. It takes a massive amount of hard work, serving, persistence, patience, humility and hope. Very often, if not in every case, it takes going through hardships and lots of overcoming. And unfortunately, there are always going to be people who will shoot your dreams down and tell you that you can't do the impossible. Every good thing will be met with some kind of resistance, at some point in time.

I am so excited though: every day seems to bring me closer to seeing my dreams come to reality. Sure, there are downs and I have gone through my share of valleys and dark nights, but God wasn't joking when He promised to take me from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sometimes I look at the woman of confidence, security, and influence I see staring back at my in the mirror and am amazed. Suddenly, my dreams of wanting to impact the world in various ways do not seem as "out there" as they used to be. I am starting to see how God has been shaping and preparing me for such a time as this. It's taken a lifetime of small decisions and hundreds of little "Yes's!" of my heart to shape me into the person I am today.
No, I am not perfect; I've got miiiiiilllleeeessss to go. And I'm still figuring out who I am (let's be honest, does it ever end?). And I'm actually an absolutely normal person.
I just have an extraordinary God living inside of me! That means nothing is too "out there"! There are no limits!

It's going to take a lifetime of everyday decisions, faithfulness in the small things, lots of patience, and truckloads of overcoming, but I'm gonna keep at it. And I'm gonna keep on dreaming. It's gonna be so worth it!

I Will Not Be Silent

Love is coming alive, and it's pushing out the fear 

Love is coming alive

Love is coming alive

Love is coming alive, and it's letting my voice out of the cage of fear: 

I won't be silent, I won't be silent, I won't be silent 

I will not be silent 

Love is the key that's opening up the cage inside of me 

And my voice is coming alive, my voice is coming alive

I will not be silent anymore 

I will not be bound by fear and worry and discouragement 

I'm coming out of my cage 

And my voice is exploding with praise! 

My voice is coming alive! 

I will not be silent, I will not be silent

Let the voice of a generation be awakened 

Let the voice of a generation be awakened:

We will not be silent anymore

These are some of the lyrics from this very prophetic song "The Voice of A Generation" by Melissa (and Jonathan David) Helser. I was listening to it this morning and wow, this is straight from the heart of God. Take a listen to it. I guarantee it will stir you up! This is what's resonating in my spirit right now: 

I feel like God is calling me, as well as a generation, to not be silent anymore. 

For me, it is quite literal: for years I have been silenced. Well, I let myself be silenced by believing the many lies about myself. This manifested in being that wallflower girl - you know, the one that melts into the shadows, not wanting any attention drawn to herself, doused in insecurity. 

I loved to sing, but if anyone heard me, that was the end of it. A hurtful experience with a voice teacher sealed the deal and made me never want to sing again. I couldn't fit into her mold of an operatic soprano. Not even close! 

For years I was convinced that there was something wrong with my "different," lower alto voice.

Why couldn't I just sound like everyone else? 

Thankfully, my God is so gracious and faithful. He doesn't make mistakes! 

It's been a number of years on this journey of freedom of finding my voice, and I'm sure it will be a few more. Getting free is not easy and usually doesn't happen with a snap of the fingers.
It is a battle to take those lies captive, declare the truth, and step out in faith, doing it even when you may be scared and trembling.
Sure, I'm still not the most outspoken girl in the crowd, but I am not afraid to stand out anymore. I am not afraid to sing out anymore!

I'm finding my voice; it's coming alive because Love Himself has come and unlocked the cage inside of me. 

The enemy fought hard to silence me for many years; I won't let him do it again. And I'll reclaim those lost years - the Lord is so faithful to redeem and heal those past hurts and memories. 

I will not let fear, worry or discouragement hold me back anymore!

He has given me songs to sing that no one else can sing.

Just as He made me unique and unlike any other on the planet, He made my voice unique. I can sing songs that touch the heart of God in a certain way that none other can. My love, expressed through my songs, moves Him in a way like no other.
Why, then, would I hold back? How can I? I have a song to sing!
I'm learning to love the uniqueness of my voice, because that's the way that He made it. He took the time to craft my voice and vocal chords when I was in my mother's womb. It was not a mistake. God doesn't make mistakes!

I encourage you to go on this freedom journey for yourself. 

Where in your life have you allowed the enemy to silence you? What does your voice sound like?

I pray that you find your voice. 

It doesn't have to be a singing voice; it looks different for everyone. It could be the words you craft in your journal, the art you make, the instrumental melodies you create, the words you speak out, the prayers you pray... whatever! 

We've let hurtful, untrue words and actions shape us and determine our futures for too long. 

We've been bound by fear for too long. 

We've been silenced for much too long.

It's time for a generation to rise up and find its voice: we will not be silent anymore. 

Love in Action: Honour

There is something special that happens when you honour your leaders.
There is something REALLY special that happens when a whole room of people honours their leaders.
I got to witness it yesterday.
I am blessed to be part of a church family that believes in honour.
They don't just believe in honour; they live and breathe honour.
Day in and day out, I have seen and experienced the leaders and mentors in this church honouring individuals, including myself. That is something you don't get everywhere, unfortunately.

I was curious about the meaning of the word, so I looked it up. Here are some definitions and synonyms that were fitting:

a showing of usually merited respect; one whose worth brings respect or fame; a source of credit or distinction; giving recognition; respect; esteem; acclaim; praise; reverence; admiration

It can be personal as well as corporate.
It should not hinge on whether the person necessarily deserves the honour or not.
It is something that, as Christ-followers, we should work on cultivating everywhere we go.
It is an act of humility; it's about putting someone else above yourself (Romans 12:10 NIV).
It is powerful; withholding it is deadly.

Honour breeds honour.

Many of the leaders I went up to honour have been key people that have welcomed me with open arms, have made me feel at home here, and have spoken and poured into my life in one way or another. As I went up to honour them, most turned around and honoured me right back! They were there, doing what they do, before I could even get a word in, ha!

But that's just it: honour breeds honour.

When leaders themselves walk in honour and exercise "the practice" of honour, they set the culture.
A culture of honour makes everyone feel valued and worthwhile; it sees and calls out "the gold" in someone else's life.
A culture of honour enables: it sees the potential inside of you and (gently) pushes you into your destiny.
A culture of honour encourages you to pursue more, as you see the man or woman of God you were meant to be.
A culture of honour is a safe place to learn and grow.

1 Peter 2:17 instructs us to "Honour everyone." (ESV) and Romans 12:10 tells us to "Outdo one another in showing honour"(ESV).
I want to be known as one who honours. One who honours the young, the old, and everyone in between, especially the leaders and mentors in my life whose authority I am under.
Because there is something special that happens when you honour your leader.
And there is something REALLY special that happens when a whole room of people honours their leaders.

Dear 15-year old me,

I wish I could make you see how beautiful you are. You’re not going to believe it for a long time and you’re going to fight it, but it’s the truth. I wish I could tell you to stand tall with your head up – I know you slouch because you’re insecure, but it’s really bad for your posture, and tall is beautiful, despite the awkward looks and comments you get. I know the last thing you want to do is stand out in a crowd, but truth is, you’re only gonna get taller, not shorter, baby! Don’t worry, though, you’ll learn to embrace your height and love your long legs! Also, take it easy on the black eyeliner – I don’t know what you are trying to prove, but it’s not pretty! On the topic of self-image stuff, I wish I could let you know that beauty is not a number on the scale, and being dangerously thin does not make you more desirable. It might take a few years and lots of healing, but you’ll get it eventually, believe me.

You’re gonna go through a hard few years, feeling completely alone, like nobody really “gets” you. You’re going to want to move far away just to find a “true” community full of people who “get” you. You’re going to feel like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole much of the time. But guess what? You’re never going to fit into a mold, and that’s okay! Just to whet your appetite though, you’re going to spend 6 life-changing months with people like you! You’re going to start to find out who you really are, shed a lot of lies from the past, and walk in lots of freedom. 

You’ll find this hard to believe – after those 6 incredible months, the next few years are going to be even better. Your mind will be blown! You’ll never imagine where you’ll end up: a little city called Brantford in southwestern Ontario. Never heard of it? Well, neither did I until three years ago. You’re gonna find an amazing community there. Lifelong friendships will be built from the relationships you will develop in those years, and you’ll get to live in the same city and in the same house as one of your closest friends – how cool is that?! There will be people who will become like family to you, so don’t worry about stepping into the great unknown by yourself!

Also, it’s gonna take you a while, but you’re gonna find your voice again. The experience with your voice teacher is going to hurt and take some future healing - it’s going to make you even more self-conscious about your lower alto voice, but one day, you’re actually going to love your voice. I know you only sing in your room with all the doors closed so that no one can hear you, but one day, you’re going to be able to sing fearlessly into that mic with confidence and boldness! That’s your 21-year-old self speaking, from experience!

One last thing: enjoy every moment with your family. It might take moving halfway across the world for you to realize how valuable they are to you, but you’ll get it eventually. Keep trusting and letting your parents into your life: they are going to be your number one fans in the years to come and will be some of your closest friends. They’re also pretty wise ;) You shouldn’t try to hide what you’re feeling from them.

Keep your head up, girly! Your future is bright; I believe in you! 

A Relentless Pursuit

Every Friday night from 10pm to 2 in the morning during the summer, my church does what we call "Flippin' Fridays". We set up our BBQ outside an old mall/business centre and give out hundreds of hamburgers and hotdogs to all kinds of people for free. Why? We love our city and want to bless the people in our city. We want to meet the felt needs (e.g. hunger, value, honor, etc.) of people. We believe (and have seen) that the kindness of God leads people to repentance. 

I enjoy serving at these nights. For a long time I felt very awkward and out of place - these BBQ's were definitely out of my comfort zone. A few weeks ago, though, I began to have some very meaningful conversations with people. Yes, inevitably, there have been encounters with some extremely intoxicated men who stand uncomfortably too close to you and literally talk in your face, but I have also had some incredible exchanges with people who just needed someone to talk to. Just last week, I was able to pray with my friend for this lady who had extremely bad back pain. The pain didn't go away immediately but we later learned that all the pain had left the next morning. So cool! So now I willingly embrace the awkward and am open to whatever may happen, whether it be silly or deep conversation, praying for people, goofing around, or being part of seeing lives be transformed. Tonight it was the latter. This is a story of redemption. This is a story of an ordinary person getting to be part of the bigger "God picture" of someone's life. This is a story of the relentless, pursuing love of God. 

A couple in their mid-20s walked up to the BBQ and the guy asked if there were any vegan options as he said that his girlfriend was vegan. I told him we actually did have a package of veggie dogs in the freezer (thank You Jesus for that random package of slightly expired veggie dogs we had sitting around in there). The girl, Liz, was delighted and offered to make a donation for her special BBQ request. When I told her we didn't take donations, she said the least she could do was go down with me to get them. I happily agreed to that, unaware of what was about to follow. She seemed very interested in what we were doing, and started asking me questions. We quickly got into questions about God, and then she started telling me her God story. She shared that she had asked Jesus into her heart, had been to church and Sunday School as a little girl but when some difficulties with her father came up, and when her mom turned away from God, she felt abandoned by God and also turned away. She kept saying, "I love Jesus, I really do!" and said that she used to talk to God and go into her closet and pray, but that she hadn't felt Him for many years. She was so genuine about it and I could see in her eyes that she still loved Jesus a lot. I told her that God had never given up on her and that He had never abandoned her. "In fact," I said, "God is still pursuing you! The amazing thing is that even when we turn and run away from Him, He still comes chasing after us. He doesn't stop pursuing us." I asked her if she wanted to pray and give her heart back to Him. She eagerly accepted and grabbed my hands. It was so awesome - as I was praying, she would interject with her own prayers. She said she felt bad for giving up on God when, all the while, He had never given up on her. I shared the wonderful news about the forgiveness of God. God was moving deeply in her heart; she was bawling, and I was close to it, too. I could sense that God was coming and filling her up, tangibly, just as I had prayed. I asked her if she had ever been filled with the Holy Spirit. She said she was feeling it now. I prayed for Holy Spirit to come and fill her more, and to come with peace and joy. The funny thing is, when I started praying this, I began to be filled with the Holy Spirit too, ha. She was feeling it. She kept saying, "This is so beautiful!" and "I can feel Him!"

I declared that this was going to be an unforgettable day; a turning point in her life; the day where she came back to God. She agreed, and said she thought it would be significant for both of us. I have never experienced such a divine encounter with a person who was so hungry and just ready to make a decision like that, so, yes, I knew this was going to be hugely significant for me, as well. I was also getting rocked by the Holy Spirit. I felt filled with so much joy and, between laughs, told her that God was dancing over her. She knew and could feel it too. She expressed over and over again that she felt such a connection to me. As she was spilling out her heart to me earlier, she shared that she had been feeling alone and disconnected for a long time. I told her that this walk wasn't meant to be done alone and that we need each other to lift us up when we are feeling down and to remind us of the truth when we forget or get overwhelmed. She kept hugging me and we kept thanking God for this beautiful exchange. It's amazing the kind of connection that happens when two souls share a moment where the Holy Spirit breaks in. I know that something really special is going to come out of this relationship; I already feel we are going to be close sisters in Christ. She said she wanted to worship beside me and said she was going to come to church on Sunday, and that she wanted to be here [at Flippin' Fridays] helping.

WOWWWWW!!! ISN'T GOD INCREDIBLE?!!

He loves to display His character through us, especially when we are weak and feeling inadequate, as I was that evening. I am so honored that God would choose to work through me and show His love through me to call one of His lost sheep home. I have never experienced such a divine encounter with another person as I did tonight. 

I am so undone by the love of God! 

He leaves the flock to go after the one. We started out the night with an hour of prayer and had a song called "Relentless Pursuit" by Kim Walker-Smith playing in the background. The lyrics kept going through my mind and heart as this encounter with Liz was happening: "It's a relentless pursuit, a passionate pursuit; I will not stop chasing after you, the love of My life." 

He relentlessly pursues hearts. His love chases us down, again and again, in the fiercest yet most tender way. I saw that tonight: Liz came in feeling abandoned and hurt by God, and she left feeling filled with the presence of God. And for that, my friends, I will gladly face and EMBRACE the awkward, the uncomfortable, the strange, and the wonderful of Friday nights. 

P.s. She never did end up eating that veggie dog!

Cage-less Bird: An Allegory

A cage that has been locked for so long. Inside, a bird sits. Some days it tries to spread its wings and flap its way out, in desperation. Other days, it has not the energy or motivation to stir. Some days it has hope of one day being set free. Other days it believes it is destined to an enclosed life, knowing only the confinement of its cage.
Though it may try with all its strength to free itself from the cage, it cannot.
It needs intervention.
It needs someone to come and unlock the cage.
One day it comes to the end of itself, and calls out, as a final act of desperation. It wonders whether anyone can hear its cries. It begins with a faltering, tentative whimper and continues, the cries becoming stronger and louder. The bird knows that freedom is imminent, and it yearns for it. It longs to be able to open its wings without feeling the constricting bars of its cage. It longs to fly again. But oh, it has been so long. It's forgotten what it feels like to fly. It's forgotten how to fly.
Then, suddenly, it knows not how, but it perceives that today must be the day.
The day where it will finally be set free.
After a lifetime of confinement, it will finally see a different world from the one it's always known.
With much fear and trepidation of the unknown journey it is about to embark on, it reaches out.
At just the right time, and in just the right way, hands appear and cradle the lock, possessing the key that will unlock the cage.
Though longing for this moment for a lifetime, the bird hesitates and feels overcome by fear of the new thing that is unfolding. Everything it has ever known - life inside the cage - is about to change.
Its fears soon dissipate, however, the moment the door is flung open.
A fresh wind blows through its wings and it can finally see the beauty that has always surrounded it, but which it has never known. The wind carries fragrant promise and overwhelming hope.
The bird, overcome, slowly stretches out its little wings, which have been cramped for so long, and flaps them a few times, feeling strength returning and relief flooding its frame.
It feels like a baby bird again, having to relearn how to use its wings. It takes a few tries before it can fly without crashing to the ground. Soon, though, it flies high, catching the currents of air and soaring in the breeze. This is its song:

"I'm soaring with You now;

I'm flying on Your wings.

We're going past the clouds; 

I'm seeing what You see."