how great.
last summer I was visiting tanzania with the international relief organization world vision. at one point in the trip we were at a remote field office and stopped in to see where the staff works. I picked up a paper-bound hymnal from the gathering room and started to flip through. it had the words and music to some old, famous christian hymns written in swahili and english. one of the staff took note of my interest and insisted I take the book with me.
I reluctantly walked outside with it and joined the group. seeing the bright orange book in my hands, one of the staff I had connected with, regina, opened it and flipped through the pages to find a hymn we both knew. we landed on “how great thou art” and she wanted to sing it with me. we started slow, but throughout the course of the song, the larger group had gathered around us and joined in song. americans and africans singing in their own language those beautiful, timeless lyrics. I was holding back tears at the beauty of god’s plan. his path, his faithfulness, his goodness - to get me to that place at that time with those people. it was unfathomably unique. it was a gift from the lord, and it was for me. to grow and learn and be inspired.
when I look back on that trip, and that moment, I have to revel in the wonder of god’s path. his plan is so unexpected. the twists take my breath away.
as I stood in my home church last sunday singing the same lyrics, the same song, I was taken back to that moment. I was reminded again of god’s plan. I was encouraged again to trust it.
“oh lord my god, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder. thy power throughout the universe display. then sings my soul, my savior god to thee - how great thou art! how great thou art.”
