Chaos Back Into Order

#inspirationsunday #sigosherts

I did it. I arrived. I got all the kids dressed, girls’ hair mostly done. Sure there is no snow on the ground and everyone is wearing snow boots, but whatever, we made it on time. I sink down into a seat in the sanctuary in the church we are attending this Sunday. What is this, the seventh church we have attended in two and a half months? They have a cool countdown that is marking the minutes and seconds until the service will begin. Wow, I am tired. No, I am not just tired, I am weary, worn, numb. The service starts, and the worship is beautiful. I should feel something, something other than numb. I love music. Music is my favorite way to worship. I will myself to feel joy, love, something. Nothing comes. I am just so weary. And then we, the church, begin to sing this song:

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

By this point, I feel renewed. I feel peace. I feel comfort. Jesus…it’s all for Jesus. My eyes shift up, my heart inclines to my Savior. Oh, what I wouldn’t do for him, because he has done EVERYTHING for me. But then the song continues:

Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, the King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

The nations. Jesus did not just die for me, he died for people in every nation! Which leads me to the very reason we have packed up what is left of all of our stuff into a Uhaul, sold our house, uprooted our children and are visiting people and churches, because:

“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.”
Psalm 67:4

As the words of this song wash over me, I am overcome with emotion. As the words pour out of my mouth, as I sing of what my Savior has done for me I begin to weep because I know that in other parts of the world people can not sing about what God has done for them in their own language. In fact, 180 million people do not have any part of scripture in a language that speaks to their heart, just like this song is speaking to my heart. This song I am singing is pulled right from the Bible. Here in my country, I have access to at least 400 translations of the Bible in a language my heart understands, and 180 million people don’t even have one word in their heart language. I am overwhelmed. I am touched to my very core. In less than 3 minutes I am moved from complete exhaustion to inspiration.

As I close my eyes and sing the rest of the song I hear the voices around me joining together to worship our king. I do this a lot. I am always so moved by all the voices of my brothers and sisters praising our heavenly father. I can easily imagine our final destination in heaven, all singing together, all my brothers and sisters from all nations! I imagine hands lifted up, skin tones like a rainbow, voices like angels, all together, unified, worshipping! But how? How can the nations be glad?

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’’
Romans 10:13-15

As the song ends and we move on to another the Holy Spirit strengthens the resolve within me. These months of chaos are for a purpose. God has been working from the beginning, and he won’t stop now. He has promised he will be with us, and I know he is a God who keeps his promises. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Worthy is the king who conquered the grave.

So now everything will be gloriously easy, right? Kids will behave perfectly, people will text, email and call begging to partner with our Wycliffe ministry, and we will be fully funded with hardly any effort at all, right?  This is where Satan sneaks in.  I need to take every thought captive.  Every day will still be a challenge, but God is faithful.  He did not promise a perfect life.  He promised to always be with us.

“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:20b

God has called us to this, and perhaps He is calling you to be a partner in Bible translation. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in our Wycliffe ministry? To view more information please ask, visit our Wycliffe ministry page, or view our Partnership brochure.

Click here to watch “This is Amazing Grace” on Godtube.