Reflections from the Plane

18 July 2011
We are on the plane and about 2 hours from New York, I am listening to the song Brave, by Nicole Nordeman and thinking of the children of Malawi that I met. Those children made me want to be brave. Before meeting them and this mission trip I was living in a bit of fear and anxiety...worrying about things I had no control over and fretting from time to time. Now thanks to Gods grace and having the courage to step outside of my comfort zone I faced uncertainty and begin  away from my family. I braved dangerous car rides, dirty hands and runny noses, coughs...strange and different foods, micro organisms that I am defenseless against...I just now realized that I was and am, indeed brave. To tell the truth I can't believe that I left my comfortable world and had the courage to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and defenseless children that I met. I am so blessed to have had this opportunity and privilege to tell their story.

My church is brave too. The bible verse, Luke 20:48 "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required," comes to mind. Giving to build this orphanage is the "much required" and the fact that NHUMC did not neglect the call of the needy, and respond in love with food, housing  and clothing is something brave. By continuing to support these ministries and leaders we are dong the "much required." Don't stop being brave; for I have come to realize that doing without so that others can have is a requirement of God that takes bravery. Don't stop reaching out across the globe and in our community to comfort the lives of the less fortunate. Indeed, we are all blessed equally by God, rich or poor, clothed or without clothes, but our needs are not necessarily the same. At least that is my reflection this morning as the sun rises over the ocean below and I reflect on the words of this song playing in my ears.

Be brave.

Amy

Brave
(Nichole Nordeman, Jay Joyce)
For Charlie, who rearranged my fearful heart.

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave