Because He lives...

One of my favourite Church songs (I’m afraid to call it a hymn... I’m not sure it is.) is entitled “Because He lives”... And the song pretty much talks about what we can do as well as what we are/who we are because of HIM (Jesus, Our Lord, God) being alive… It’s really deep hey.

So this post is not about a song I really like but rather how it just became apparent that the words of our confession need to translate into what we practice and what we are about. So here I am singing, ‘Because He lives... I can face tomorrow...’ Then it hits me (as I’m doing dishes by the way – not the most spiritual of moments!). Ok for this to make sense to you, I have to give you some bit of background, some history…

So I’m a final year student just about to complete my second last semester at varsity. And you know what everyone’s question to me is: “So what do you plan on doing next year?” “What do you wanna do?” “What’s next?” “Honours? Masters? Work?” “And where? South Africa? Do you want to go back home? Perhaps Australia or the UK?” Ok you get the gist. To be completely honest with you – I HAVE NO IDEA! And for some time it was just one of those things I didn’t stress about because I’m the kind of person that knows that “it will eventually come to me.. Or it will be made clear... no need to stress – there’s no hurry” blah blah. Anyway – with the intensity and frequency that these questions started being posed to me, I began to think seriously about what I AM going to do next year, and yup – u guessed right, it started to stress bother me.

Now I’m not one to dwell on negativity and all and so, every time the thought would come to mind, I’d quickly shift my thoughts to something TOTALLY different... More to do with the here and now… I quickly became fearful (even though I was now pretending it didn’t’ bother me… it did). So I have these awesome girlfriends who I meet with at least twice a month – they are also my colleagues and it’s awesome how God just brought us together and has used us  to really minister to each other… Anyway, one of them – Tash, is graduating this semester. And what struck me at our last meeting was how relaxed she was about leaving varsity – not too sure about what awaited her but also not a mess about it. So composed (she normally is anyway) she just coolly replies, “It’s going to be interesting moving back home. It might not necessarily be easy, coz change isn’t easy. But it’s a new phase…” I can’t remember word for word what she said but you get it. It amazed me how she was so calm about it all!!

This evening we had our final meeting (with the rest of our workmates) and she said how she’d miss us (and it was going to be a fountain of tears), but Tash – managed to end off on a very rational note (are we surprised?? J) Anyway this evening, the words to this song really struck a chord with me and I felt it necessary to share it with Tash (still haven’t told her yet, I will) just to encourage her but also it was a serious revelation for me… Digest and confess and BELIEVE this word that you sing.. Make it true. Live it out.

  

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, All fear is gone

Because I know – Who holds my future.

And life is worth living, just because He lives.

So.. I don’t know what next year holds for me, for my friends, for my family (yes, there are many variables).. And no, I don’t know where the road will lead me – or where it will end up. But one thing I do know. My God, Who conquered the grave, Who holds time in His hands, Who is eternal and according to Jeremiah 29:11 has only the best plans for me – HOLDS MY FUTURE – therefore I will face tomorrow, with no fear and I will live in the NOW, rejoicing at the prospect of the future.. Because HE LIVES!!!