"So Will I"

Even after being home for over a month, I still find myself largely at a loss for words that I feel would adequately describe my trip to Thailand and Cambodia. The more I think about how to sum up what I saw and experienced there, the more I’m drawn back to our team song, “So Will I” by Hillsong. We proudly wore the phrase on our t shirts as we traveled and I often thought about how much power and meaning was in each of the verses and lines. So, instead of relying on my own words to share some of my biggest takeaways from the trip, I’ve broken it up based on some of the lyrics from the song.

“If the stars were made to worship, so will I”
At the rescue home in Cambodia, we got to see the girls lift their voices to worship their Good Father. Though we didn’t understand a word of what they were singing, it was impossible to not feel their authenticity and passion with every word they sang. As I looked around at the girls praising Jesus with eyes closed, hands lifted and hearts surrendered, I was quickly convicted of the many times I, for one reason or another, find myself mindlessly singing along to worship songs without giving much attention to the power behind the words I’m declaring. We were literally created to worship and praising God is so much more powerful than we often realize. Each of those beautifully strong girls truly exemplified the song “Heart of Worship” and shed a new light on Hebrews 12:28-29 ~ “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire” (NLT). 

“If the rocks cry out in silence, so will I”
In Luke chapter 19, Jesus’ followers began shouting praises to God for the miracles and amazing things they had seen so the Pharisees urged Jesus to rebuke them for their praises. Jesus replied by telling them that, if the people won’t declare the greatness of God, the rocks will. With this in mind, I naturally link this song lyric to that passage in Luke however, God put a new meaning on my heart in Thailand. To quote William Wilberforce, “let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me”. By choosing to be silent about the evils of trafficking, especially after everything I’ve seen, I would be choosing to allow that evil to continue. But by choosing to be voice for the voiceless and fight for their freedom, I’m giving God a platform to show up in the middle of the darkness, show off His power and display His redemptive, fiercely loving heart. 

“If You left the grave behind you, so will I”
Leaving the rescue and prevention homes, our team couldn’t help but comment on the joy, love and strength we saw. The very first night of our trip we walked through a red light district and faced the harsh reality of the world these precious girls were trapped in. To go from witnessing the brokenness, hopelessness and darkness of their past to seeing those girls now walking in strength and dignity, claiming a new identity in their Savior is one of the most inspiring testimonies of freedom I’ve ever seen. Not only are they physically free, they are stepping into the mental, emotional and spiritual freedom Christ calls us all to. If they can follow the example Jesus set when He left the grave behind Him after everything they’ve been through, what’s holding me back from walking in freedom as well?!

“If You gave Your life to love them, so will I”
“Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable (CEB). Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice (NLT)” - Proverbs 31:8-9. I spent 14 days intentionally praying and preparing my heart as much as I could for this trip because not only did I know that it would be an emotionally heavy and spiritually challenging experience, something in me knew that it was only the beginning of something big. “So Will I” ends with “I can see Your heart 8 billion different ways. Every precious one, a child You died to save. If You gave Your life to love them, so will I; like You would again 100 billion times. But what measure could amount to Your design? You’re the One who never leaves the one behind”. I’ve repeated those lines over and over since coming back from the trip, recognizing that I’ve been called to fight. Jesus suffered and died to set us free and now, I will use my freedom and voice to fight for theirs, however God calls me to do it because, if He gladly chose surrender, so will I.