I just ventured out, by myself, to a grocery store about 15 minutes away. It was a great 15 minutes. I decided to put on a little Chris Tomlin “Arriving”. As I was singing along with my buddy Chris, it was as though God said to me, “this is what you have been missing”. In all the hustle and bustle of new city life, new language, new culture, new people(pretty much new everything), taking care of the kids, school, house, etc., I had forgotten about the way God uses music in my life. I have been reading His Word, but something has been missing-until my ride to the grocery store. As I cranked “God of this city” and sang at the top of my lungs, tears flowed down my cheeks. I ended up sitting in the Kombi in the parking garage because I didn’t want the music to end! How could I forget the connection I get with God when I worship Him in music??!?

Its amazing how when we lose just one portion of the means God has given us to grow in our relationship with Him, we can completely lose the ability to function in a God glorifying manner. The last couple of weeks have been filled with some difficulties that have, at times, pushed me over the edge. The shouldn’t have pushed me over the edge, but it was as if I had no ability to think rationally. I know now it was because of a lack of worship in my life. I think God uses different modes of worship to speak differently to each of us. For some, it is the study of His Word, for some it is sermons, for some it is a good book. For me, it is music. Having the opportunity to be alone with God, not cleaning, not getting a snack, not studying-just me, some music, and God.

God spoke to me today. It wasn’t through the specific words of Chris Tomlin, but through my act of worshipping Him through “Arriving”. I am so thankful for that 15 minute drive to Bourbon Shopping Country where the Creator of the Universe, Who was with me in Iowa, reminded me that He is right here with me when I feel so far away from everything familiar. I guess I’ll have to ride around by myself in the Kombi more often…