Africa

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name would care to feel my hurt… not because of who I am, but because of what you’ve done, not because of what I’ve done, but because of who you are…
I am a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean… a vapor in the wind…
Lord you catch me when I’m falling, you told me who I am… I am yours. Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear, I am yours”
– Casting Crowns

As I sat listening to this all too familiar song I peered out of the window staring at the Atlantic Ocean’s waves crash on the Moroccan shore line. Tears streamed down my face. This song has come to mean so many things to me. The words from this song echoed in my ears, as I watched the roaring waves fall against the sand. I was reminded of a special person.

This was a friend who found true joy in simply just “being.” He lived his life knowing whose he was. He was the Lords. Mark embraced adventure and took advantage of opportunities that came his way. Mark Heinmets died in a climbing accident last year and at his funeral they played this song. As the song continued to play in my ears, my heart just hurt deeply; not necessarily because I missed him, but because I ached for his family and his friends. His parents have displayed such great strength and dependence upon God. Even when it did not seem fair at all that their son be taken from them, they still stood planted on the rock that was beneath them. They realized that they are not their own, but they are the Lord’s- something that they must have taught Mark while he was still alive. Something they have continued to teach all of us.

The fragrance from these memories brought me to another place. The place I was at that moment-

“I am a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean… a vapor in the wind…” Again, dwelling on these sweet words I thought about the extraordinary way in which God allowed me to come visit Africa- a dream that I have had for many years. I thought about what my purpose was for being there and why God would grant me such an incredible gift of being able to visit friends here… “I am a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow” Why would he allow me this opportunity to go? …To be on the continent that has tugged at my heart for so long? “I am a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow” Why am I here? Why do I get to spend time with the people of this land? I wish all of these questions had answers now. Truth is, there are answers- but for some reason I don’t know them.

From this short visit to Casablanca and Fes, Morocco one thing has been confirmed. I do love being in a foreign land with foreign people. The excitement of simply “being” and living as an outsider in a land that does not welcome the One True living God excites me. Yes, it was a challenge to pick my words carefully as we did not know who might be listening, but it was necessary… it was good. Oh how I desire to be in a poor country, to share the good news with people- maybe with words, but hopefully not. I don’t know when, where, or how. I am confident that all will be revealed in time. Apparently God thinks I have a lot more to learn before this happens!

“I am a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow” I realize that I am only on earth for a short time. I need to make the most out of every opportunity realizing that I am not granted tomorrow. I simply breathe in the breath he gives me, no matter what the timing. May the legacy of Mark, his family, the Moroccan shoreline be a testimony that constantly reminds us- we are not our own, we are His... “a flower quickly fading here today and gone tomorrow.”

“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voices; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea- the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord.” Psalm 93