There is something liberating about sitting on a rooftop of a hostel in Istanbul, looking over the chaotic puzzle of buildings and busy people with Amanda Cook's 'Wonder' pumping through my earphones. What a time to be alive.
Staying only a stones-throw away from the Blue Mosque, waking up with a view of the Ayasofia every morning and walking through Istanbul in my identity in Christ - literally walking around with our identity scribbled on a piece of paper stuffed in our shoes - I was constantly reminded by Him that I was called for such a time as this.
For such a time as this.
As this:
For the moments where you find yourself talking to him while standing in a crowded market with loud voices of the people trying to make their cut.The moments where you feel him walking beside you while dodging riot police making their way through the crowds. For the moments we were able to gather together on that rooftop for praise and worship. For the moments I caught myself smiling, because for the first time in a long time, things made sense.
I was called for such a time as this.
I was called.
I was called.
I stood on that rooftop that morning and asked God what I did to get so lucky. "Silly Child," he said, "You are not lucky. You are blessed."
How blessed am I to be able to experience peace in a city where peace has been long forgotten and seems a distant memory or myth for most. How blessed am I that I get to know the love of The Creator in the most unexpected places.
How blessed am I to have been called for such a time as this.