In the girls' group I help facilitate on Monday nights, we're discussing what our identity in Christ means. For some, it means learning the meaning of our names; for others, it's flexing skills and putting in practice lifestyles of being part of a royal priesthood; still for others, it's taking a huge step of actually trusting this Invisible God - something adults have a hard enough time with, let alone teenage girls.
All of me will "grow old", but a part of me will never "grow up". As I write stories and poems, I still see myself as a young girl, perhaps sixteen or so, looking deeply for the first time into God, Jesus, His world, and His love. It is wounding... much of His Truth and reality I cannot bear. It is healing... it reveals places I never would have thought were hurt. It is fantastic... in the ordinary everday, in the common life of community, in the boredom and chaos, the ups and downs, there is breathless imagination that only God can stretch into infinity.
What does this have to do with slavery? I mean, this is a blog about human trafficking isn't it? Well, slavery is an identity -- to be a slave shapes how you see yourself and often, it is a morbid and dying sight. However, even past slavery - to those of us who have never been trafficked - there are fears and oppressors over God's creative identity for us (including ourselves). Some days, even the most faithful of abolitionists need a reminder.
So call me childish (I'd prefer "child-like", if must call me something), but Alanis Morisette's Wunderkind is a Song from the Underground that declares so much of who we are... of who I am. "...destined to serve... destined to roam..." It is a declaration of paradoxes, enigmas, and yet full childlike discovery. Written for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, I gravitated instantly to the song. You see, I saw myself very much like Lucy Pevencie growing up -- in wonder, in hiding, in exploration, in daring, in danger, but full of mysterious faith and childlike belief. I still do.
I very much believe that "I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment".
Will this help end slavery?
Yes.
The mystery of Christ is to be embraced. Once embraced, there's no telling where we will end up. It will be dangerous. BUT... it will be good. Very good.
Cheesy post, perhaps. But today, knowing the very real dangers we're all facing in this struggle for freedom, I needed a childlike perspective speaking truth in ways we adults all too soon forget.
Enjoy.
"Wunderkind" ~ Alanis Morisette
Oh perilous place
Walk backwards toward you
Blink disbelieving eyes chilled to the bone
Most visibly brave
No apprehended gloom
First to take this foot to virgin snow
I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind ohwowoh
I lift the envelope pushed far enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
destined to serve
destined to roam
Oh ominous place
Spellbound and un-childproofed
My least favorite chill to bear alone
Compatriots in place
They’d cringe if I told you
Our best back pocket secret: our bond full blown
I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind ohwowoh
I am a pioneer naïve enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
destined to seek
destined to know
Most beautiful place
Reborn and blown off roof
My view: about face whether, great will be done
I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind ohwowoh
I am a groundbreaker naïve enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind ohwowoh
I am the Joan of Arc and smart enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to reign, destined to roam
Destined to reign, destined to roam
Ohahahoohah
Ohahahoohah
Destined to reign, destined to roam
Destined to reign, destined to roam
