I leave in six days. The closer my departure date nears, the more I have been reflecting on the costs of leaving home and joining the field. Recently, I went on a run at cross-cultural training to clear my racing mind. I came to a stream and decided to stop and enjoy the beauty of the rushing water. I dipped my feet into the water and quickly withdrew. It was freezing and the water stung my skin. I began comtemplating on how often our lives dedicated to Jesus is not easy but even painful. Yet, the pain leads to so much joy. I sat by this cold stream and wrote a poem to my King from His daughter. I titled this poem 'Glacier Waters.' Right now, my life feels a bit like glacier waters: uncertainy and powerful streams daunt me at every corner. The only reassurance I find is resting in the certainty of Him.
Glacier Waters
My king.
He is dangerous.
At times His creeds may sting as a glacier stream in the dead of winter.
His icy waters are demanding, even overcoming.
His ways are an endless cavern.
He is unsearchable yet brings us into the light.
In the mists of the icy sting and the glacier waters,
I want to walk continually in the light of the King.
My feet will fail.
My body will give up.
My flesh breaks loyalty.
I cry out,
"My King I have been disloyal to you! I have chosen every path except yours!"
He has every right to exile me from His kingdom.
Every right to crush my spirit.
Instead?
He exiled His Son on our behalf.
The Son willingly obeyed.
My King,
He is good.
And He is faithful.
My loyalty lies with the King.
The rushing waters might overcome me.
My grief might crush in on all sides.
Every good thing on this Earth might be stripped from me.
Still, my loyalty is with the King.
He took a disloyal and betraying servant from exile and made Her His favored daughter.
I have been captured in His light.
And I won't let go.
One day, my king came to me,
"Daughter," He said
"I have ransomed you from the darkness.
Now I ask that you go back and live among the exiled so that those in exile might come into my kingdom."
"Yes, Papa."
Your daughter is willing.
I will step into the frigid waters.
Let the glacier currents rage around me,
As the coldness stings my skin.
So that those in exile will know the truth
They will know that there is hope.
Forever, I will praise you from the icy mountaintop.
I will cry out, "Good news, we have been ransomed!"