Wild Alarms

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 

Colossians 3:16

While driving out of my neighborhood recently, a fire truck passed me in emergency mode--sirens and lights pulsing. I quickly realized a three alarm fire was occurring when two more trucks zoomed by me.  

What are some of the wild alarms you experience? We live at a heightened state of vigilance twenty-four/seven. Anxiety and fear have become a familiar replacement of the spirit of peace we all seek. Media coverage continues to feed us possible scenarios of danger while reporting political and cultural demise and injustices occurring around the world. Our flow of peace is often interrupted, and we get off track.

Christian principles from the Bible offer an escape plan when we are threatened because, friends—the battle is not ours. It belongs to God, who is our creator and the author of our faith. Our humanness sometimes escalates to a point which is unmanageable. But we must plan a way to preserve our peace— much like preparing a designated safe room during a storm. (Hebrews 12:2)

One of my favorite ways to cope is not only to pray but to sing! A calmness comes over me when I remember to sing the lyrics of a vintage hymn or a contemporary praise song. I gain strength in my body when my brain and soul are soothed. 

Recently in my church, the wonderful song, Way Maker, has been introduced to our congregation. I find myself humming these powerful lyrics written by Nigerian songwriter, Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu. Read these words from the chorus. You might even want to Google a recording of the song.  It is powerful.

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness

My God

That is Who You Are.

Jill Hendrix