Hyland Heights Ladies,
It is hard to believe how vastly different the world is than it was when I was with you just a few short weeks ago. Personally, I experienced such an overwhelming week of joy and excitement. I was surrounded by so many of you… people, togetherness. And now, as I sit typing, I (we) are restricted to being in groups of no more than maybe ten. What a difference. The current circumstances are so sad, so confusing, so chaotic that it is easy to find yourself feeling down, questioning, and wanting to throw your hands up.
Over the past weeks, God has been gently reminding me of who He is and that He is still there through his Word and the worship songs I sing. If you’re anything like me, worship through music is a very real part of your relationship with God. I love listening to and singing worship music at church, in the car, on a walk, during work, and while doing housework. As many songs as I hear, it is very easy for me to go into “autopilot” and simply sing along without truly hearing the words.
Over these past weeks, however, I have begun to tightly hang onto these words, words reflecting God’s character, glory, and goodness that we know through Scripture. And as I truly listened, I realized “this I believe!” Life has a lot of questions right now, but…
“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.”
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
“Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide, the ransom for my life; Oh, He is my song.”
“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God that is who You are.”
“I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm; louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar. Up from the ashes, hope will arise. Death is defeated, the King is alive.”
Do I really, deep down believe these words? When life is tough, scary, sad, anxiety-provoking, do I believe these phrases that I belt out unashamedly anytime the music is on? One of the tough questions my pastor husband likes to ask is “What part of your faith actually requires faith?” So often, it is easy for me to go about my life with it “working”… more or less. Now? Nope. I need Jesus. I need my faith, the truth that my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Because… life right now… the best I can offer… the best I can assure myself… answer my kids’ tough questions… make the right decisions… I’m just not good enough.
My faith requires my faith! And, so back to those songs I hold so dearly. Yes! God is faithful. He does not change. He is compassionate. I will choose to look to Jesus; He is wonderful. Life, whether good, bad, or ugly, just doesn’t compare to the glory of Christ. It is well with my soul… yes, it is! No matter what is going on in this world, Jesus has secured that for me. Right now, Jesus is my safe place, the promise keeper, the light in the darkness. Yes, God, that is who You are!
Am I driven to question, feel frustrated and want to sit on the floor in a pool of anxiety? Yep, sometimes. This is hard! And yet the peace of God is surrounding me; He is my cornerstone leading and guiding. And so, I’m going to keep singing, in the middle of THIS storm. Why? Because this I believe. I really truly without a doubt believe all of this.
Ladies, I encourage you during this time, cling to God’s Word, seek out the truths of who He is, worship Him because He is worthy. Those scriptures and verses of song that may have become rote or commonplace to you over the years, examine those and seek God to give you deeper meaning and closer relationship to Him during this time. I pray that He will bless you, as He has me, with that moment of “This I believe!”
Longing to be with you in person,
~Mandy Carter
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6