Insecure. 

I have lived that word for much of my adult life. Not necessarily emotionally. Although, I know a thing or two about emotional insecurity. But how about financial insecurity. Relational insecurity. Housing. Employment. Social Media. There are a lot of things in our everyday lives that are about as secure as cracking ice on a lake.

There are a few things that have always felt secure to me, though, the most significant being my relationship with God. When I have no idea what to do, I turn to Him. I worship and sing and pray, or drive, or sometimes just hide away and cry until I feel His Spirit speaking. And He has never budged an inch no matter what ugly feelings I bring him. He is all the security I require.

A friend once taught me this mantra, “I am a child of God, clothed in Christ. There is nothing inadequate about me.” That was years ago now, but in my moments of insecurity, I have trained that phrase into my psyche so hard that I sometimes even catch myself muttering those words aloud. 

So, why am I divulging such personal information?

Because the world is insecure right now. Not that it ever has been secure, but it can feel secure from time to time. And it doesn’t feel that way now. 

And I thought maybe, we could collectively take a breath, and acknowledge that we are in fact, children of God, clothed in Christ, and we would begin to feel adequate. Through Christ, we are perfectly adequate to face cultural upheavals, equipped to withstand pandemic-sized insecurity, empowered to fight injustice, loved so we can love, forgiven so we can forgive. 

If I can go as far as misquoting Stan Lee… With great security comes great responsibility. Responsibility to stand up for one another, even if it leaves us personally feeling insecure. Responsibility to speak truth, responsibility to encourage rather than drag down, responsibility to set aside our own securities for the sake of others on thinner ice than we are.

As far as a personal update, yes, I am going back to Haiti! Annnnd, no. I still don’t know when, but the airport is tentatively reopening Haiti’s international borders within the week. I’m hoping to be in Haiti sometime mid-late July, but there are still a lot of travel complications to consider. 

For the time being, I have been granted the gift of unexpected time with my family. And I am connecting with Haitian friends and coworkers daily via messages. I am eager to get back, while learning contentment in this season of insecurity.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Micah 6:8

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”