The Call

Since Friday night I’ve had this tune going round my head. We heard it at the fabulous Young Voices choir performance at Sheffield Arena, along with at least 5,000 children singing and probably as many parents, it was a really special moment amongst an evening of special moments. The professional dancers really made it come alive. The song lyrics as it turns out are really apt at the moment, as it’s about new beginnings, goodbyes and sacrifice. It is also from one of the Narnia stories, where a bunch of children end up being really brave. I was so impressed with my daughter and all her friends on Friday as the young voices performance was over 2 hours and they had to perform not knowing where we were, as parents we managed to spot them with our binoculars but I could see Amy searching for us and could tell she was worrying that we wouldn’t spot her.

I think this is a helpful analogy though for our journeys in life. So often growing up, and in adult life, we are searching for recognition, and hoping that the people we look up to, will really get who we are, and celebrate our successes with us. Meanwhile the people we love are already championing us on, madly taking photos and bursting with pride. In my faith journey it’s also been a bit like that. I’ve had to carry on doing my best, not knowing if God was watching or not, and hoping I’ve been making the right decisions along the way. Meanwhile lots of other people have been going…  yes! Great work! keep it up! until the penny dropped.

Of course like most people I’ve done some ridiculously stupid things in my life, and there are many things I’ve done or said I’m really embarressed about. But somehow the fact that I’m still trying, makes me brave. The not stopping and worrying about any of this, means I’m listening to God. The topsy turvy world we live in, doesn’t really have to make sense if I know he’s with me. Even if I can’t spot him in the crowd, and my friends don’t even know he exists, I know he’s got his binoculars fixed on me. Even though others can’t hear the music I’m still dancing. It’s not a scary thing anymore, it’s exciting, and fun and dangerous but I don’t need to be afraid.  I’m not the first and I won’t be the last.

But in the words of the song this call I’ve heard is now more of a battle cry, but started out as a feeling…then a hope, a quiet thought or word. This blog has really helped me express that process ‘out loud’. I hope you enjoy the song, it’s Regina Spektor’s original I think..