Wavin' the Flag of Inspiration

Inspire: to exert a beneficial effect upon, to stir, to breathe life into.

It's amazing where inspiration can come from.  On the treadmill this morning at the Y, watching Canada AM, I happened to catch a post Juno interview with the up and coming artist; K'NAAN.

His song; Wavin' Flag won single of the year.

I have heard the song many times but never knew the story behind it.  Wavin' Flag  came from K'NAAN's vision to help the people of Haiti after the country suffered a devastating 7.0 earthquake in 2010.  Bringing together young musicians from all across Canada to sing in an extraordinarily beautiful and powerful way and in doing so K'NAAN inspired a nation, no, not just a nation, he inspired the world.

When asked to describe what the experience  of making this song was like for him, K'NAAN said this;  "We were not made to be accountants; focused only on people in terms of numbers.  The human experience is more than that.  We were made to care deeply about, to connect with, to nurture and to respond emotionally and practically to the plight of our fellow man."
Wow.

K'NAAN went on to say that he was overwhelmed by the experience; the emotion of it, the newness, the feeling that he was part of something big.

And big it has been.  Wavin' Flag has raised over 1 million dollars for the people of Haiti.

K'NAAN's words moved me.  Watching this interview, I felt inspired.  Modern day heros do exist.  There are still difference makers among us who like K'NAAN remind me that even in impossibly tragic times, good will overcome.

I have been blessed to have had a few of those moments in my life when I have sensed that something so much bigger than me is taking place.

• leading a camper to Christ
• boarding a plane for a mission to Zaire
• standing amidst 250 plus women and watching them experience a blessing and love they never knew existed or believed they deserved.

Moments when every fibre of my being seems to be standing on end; anticipating, rejoicing, praising, saying thank you Jesus. 

To inspire: to exert a beneficial effect upon, to stir, to breathe life into.  Jesus help me be a source of inspiration to others, not necessarily in big, obvious ways, but in ways that breathe life into the hearts and souls of those I love.

A list to live by.

Yesterday morning I skipped church.

Well, not really.  I was there but instead of going into the service, I snuck away to a quiet room and spent some time with the Lord. 

It was a good thing to do.

Ever since I can remember, I have kept a journal.  I love to write and every now and then, I go back through my journal's pages to read what I've written so that I can see the journey I am on more clearly.

I spent some time doing that yesterday morning and as I did,
I came across so many of my favourite quotes and sayings. 
I couldn't help but think how good it would be to put them all in one place.  Oh!  I know!  A list!  I love lists!  I live by them! 

Really.  They act as a compass for my days.

And so, below you'll find a new list.  I'm calling this one; A List to Live By, since it consists of words that have inspired me to live a better life over the last few years.  (Some of the authors are unknown to me so I can't always give credit to the right person, but all of the following sayings are not my own.)

A List to Live By

• Believe you are who God says you are: adopted, blessed, forgiven, redeemed, chosen and loved.  Beth Moore
• Wise choices will watch over you,  understanding will keep you safe.  Proverbs 2:11
• Embrace life
• Stay curious
• Be the change you want to see happen.  Ghandi
• Today is the day!
• Be kinder than necessary.
• Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.
• Live for an audience of One.
• Do not fear what obedience will cause to happen in your life.  Fear what disobedience will cause you to miss.  Lysa Terkurst
• If something matters than everything matters.  Because you are important, everything you do is important.  Every time you forgive, the universe changes, every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes.  The Shack
• Jesus direct my heart in God's love and Christ's perseverance.  2 Thess. 3:5

I love my new list and I can't wait to add more "words to live by" as I come across them on my journey.