In Christ Alone

I often find music as my best communicator. When words cease to satisfy, and I find myself unable to express my feeling or emotions, often times music because the bridge in my communication. When we traveled to Hawaii to work with Samaritan’s feet, the Youth Choir I worked with help me rediscover an old song which spoke volumes to me on the trip.

See, I feel in a way that my trip to Hawaii was jaded. It was difficult for me to be there from day one, and honestly, I am unsure if my heart was ever fully there. See, when I arrived, my Mom told me that my Grandma had died. Out of four Grandparents, she was the only one I had built a relationship with, and the only one I knew. I tucked the pain away into a corner of my heart to be strong for my students, but it was always there, it always followed me. The beautiful sunsets became a healer. The beauty of the water became my refuge. Surfing gave me a freedom that I had never experienced in my life. Snorkeling gave me the change to see things that changed my view of my creator. The sand was a constant comfort, soft and fair. Washing the feet of homeless children, and their parents comforted me. My students with their sarcastic remarks, dance moves, and humor just made me laugh. Being there for my students-the day of the breakdowns, and the moments of the tears-it made my mission clearer then ever. I wouldn’t trade being there for the world. I do not understand why my Grandma had to die the day I left. I do not understand why I could not be there for my family during a time that they needed me, but I’m understanding I was ment to be there. I was ment to experience the life I found. I was ment to experience the strength of my Father upholding his child.

One of the days our chior had their preformence I found myself listening to the lyrics of a song that broke me. A song that became my anthum. A song that lit the darkness, and bridged the gap into my heart. Now whenever I hear it, I am reminded of the strength of a God and my need for Him. I leave you with the lyrics today.

“In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”