“Tell us what is saving your life now.” This answer was posed to author/speaker Barbara Brown Taylor as the topic she was given for a speaking engagement which she writes about in her authentic memoir, Leaving Church. Since then, many bloggers, podcasters, preachers, and speakers have asked the same question of their audience. I have a friend who has told me several times recently that worshipping and praying with her small group at the Salvation Army is saving her life right now. To me, it seems to be such a sacred question that I struggle to ever answer it verbally…sometimes my only obvious answer is God, because everything else seems meaningless. Taylor later writes in An Altar in the World that her answers to the question have changed over the years, “that is the beauty of the question-but the principle is the same”. What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.”

Currently, my answer to this question is a song from Hillsong, “Who You Say I Am.” I’d listened to the song on the radio some, but it wasn’t until the Children’s Pastors Conference in Orlando a couple of weeks ago, that I truly understood and responded to the lyrics. In a crowd of 2000 people, 12 of whom I know, I made my way with another friend to the altar (first time I’ve ever responded to an altar call) with a hundred other people as we sang this song from the depths of our souls. The message by Rev. Wilfredo (Choco) De Jesus brought me to my knees. The Spirit of the Lord spoke deeply to my soul through Choco. And then, the worship team began singing “Who You Say I Am.” This song is saving my life right now. I sing it constantly in my head, while I’m walking my dog, as I’m putting on mascara, when I’m angry with someone or just completely frustrated with myself. I can’t get it out of my head. “Come tell us what is saving your life now.” Perhaps the answer is a song, a mentor, a group of friends, or planting a garden…whatever it is, be reminded that this is God’s way of reminding you who you are in the Kingdom.

https://youtu.be/lKw6uqtGFfo

Who am I that the highest King
would welcome me?
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me

I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say I am
I am who You say I am