Last January 2020, I visited my native country, the Philippines, for the first time in almost nine years.
Walking along the beach, we seek,
We talk and listen
What the waves may say…
As the surf rolls on the sand
And touch our feet
We’re still on Higher Ground!
Holding our hands, we pray
Trusting and believing that
God is there for us
Yes, He’s with us!
In Timaru, where we lived before, we find Caroline Bay, Dashing Rocks, and South Beach wonderful nearby places to walk, meditate, and commune with God.
The most extended leg of my journey was the flight from Auckland to Singapore, 11 hours, more or less.
The excitement of seeing my native country and visiting and being with my family, my mom, brother, and in-laws makes me sleepless.
I wished I had superpowers to put the plane into the speed of light so we’d land safely soonest.
Then I remembered that I had this melody I composed in early 2019. I thought, why not write the lyrics of the song?
So, I took out my phone and started scribbling.
As a background, I composed this melody with two stories in mind – the sudden passing of our cousin in February 2019 and the Christchurch terror attack on 15th March 2019.
At that moment, up in the air, flying from Christchurch to Singapore, I also looked back to our life’s journey in New Zealand as I thought of the words to write for the melody.
The six lines of the lyrics capture our family’s journey to starting a life in New Zealand.
Walking along the beach, we seek,
We talk and listen
What the waves may say…As the surf rolls on the sand
I WILL REJOICE
And touch our feet
We’re still on Higher Ground!
We all probably have observed how the waves would rush to the shore, build up speed and foam crest before finally collapsing on the sand.
The momentum would continue. Before receding to the sea, the water flowed offshore as far as possible.
It might wet your feet. Sometimes, more giant waves would come rushing fast, crashing suddenly and drenching you.
However, you know you are confident that these waves will never wash you away as long as you’re on higher ground.
just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Friends, whatever trials you’re going through may come in different wave sizes, but remember that you are still and will always be on Higher Ground with God.
In using the phrase “Higher Ground“, I have my favourite hymn in mind.
Below are scriptures that assure us that we are always on higher ground, no matter how hard or easy life is.
- Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that testing your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3).
- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
You are still and will always be on higher ground, my friend. Please don’t give up. Keep hoping.
Please read the complete lyrics of the song “I Will Rejoice” and listen to the music while reading by clicking on the button below:
PHOTO: “Standing Driftwood” at Gillespies Beach, West Coast, NZ by Jonan Castillon
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