This little light of mine...

As kids we sang the song "This Little Light of Mine."

"This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine...

Won't let Satan (blow) it out...I'm gonna let it shine..."

 As adults we have found new ways to declare the same message. 

Today as I was driving home from work I heard the song "Mighty to Save" on the radio. 

The first three lines screamed for my attention like the three year old child I had just left.

"Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing;

Let mercy fall on me."

Everyone. Not some. Not people who go to jail. Not people who lie. Not people who live on streets. Not rich people. Not people in Atlanta. Not people in Australia. Not you. Not me....everyone. 

Love that never fails. Not love that works out sometimes. Love when you play your cards right. Love when you do the right thing. Love when you earn it. Love always.

Let mercy fall...like rain on me. Have you ever felt grace or mercy like rain? Grace and mercy so all consuming you can feel it as it soaks your hair, seeps through your jeans and t-shirt, clings to your skin, and just doesn't stop? 

So I continued listening...

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

As I have tried to prepare for what lies ahead in the next two weeks, I find myself feeling completely inadequate. Isn't there someone else better equipped for this mission? Someone more experience? Someone more knowledgeable? Someone more spiritual? Someone more outgoing? Someone more adventurous? Some better? ...Someone...?

But God has whispered...in the still moments..."No Emily. You are the one I want. You have been purposefully chosen to serve my people. Do not worry. Do not be afraid. I have prepared this mission. I am preparing this mission. The people you will meet. The people you will serve. The people you will love. It is all for a very important purpose. My purpose."

So...I have prayed..."take me as You find me, just as I am...little Emily...with all my fears and failures. Help me to pour out my life the way you want me to. Pour into the open hearts of those you have asked me to...and then fill my life again. I give my life to follow everything I believe in. Now I surrender. I surrender yesterday. Today. And tomorrow. And the next day. I surrender."

So we shine.

As kids we said, "this little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine..."

...but now as we head towards Kenya...I pray we will shout "Shine your light and let the whole world see, because we are not just going on a mission trip. We aren't just traveling to Kenya to do a kids camp. 

We are singing for the glory of the risen King

...Jesus.

Love you guys...I know God has big plans for this trip. I can't wait to experience our lights shining to the world big, bright, bold, and beautiful!!!