His gift is a song

I love learning how people are using their talents in unique ways to fight sexual exploitation. In the last year I've talked to dozens of college students who are prepared to cut short their studies in medicine, business, or communications in order to pursue law for very noble reasons. Why? They've heard IJM's eloquent president speak on rescuing young victims from brothels thanks to a slew of tough lawyers. I'm all for IJM and lawyers dedicated to abolition of this human slavery. But, these students haven't heard yet that God uses and calls the full body of Christ.

 

Fighting sexual exploitation on a global scale requires all the unique gifts and talents God's distributed to the whole Church--graphic designers, accountants, bakers, actors, architects and more. We are all needed to both stop the horrors of exploitation and help restore broken lives of both victims and perpetrators.

Last week, a producer in Nashville emailed me after hearing my interview on Moody Radio. He shared this song that he'd created, offering his writing and production talents for this cause.

"Child of God"

I paint on the face, I strap on the heels

Shut down my heart so it won’t have to feel

the hands that don’t know me all over my skin

and the eyes that don’t love me drinking me in

 

Under this make up I’m black and blue

The petals were crushed before I could bloom

I didn’t choose this

No one ever would

And I’d break these chains if only I could

 

I’m a child of God

I hide in plain sight

I’m a child of God

Slave to the night

Powerless, broken, abandoned, abused

Do you see a child of God

Or just a prostitute?

Listen to the full song, "Child of God," at www.musicforthesoul.org and click on ‘Sex Trafficking’ under the ‘Get Help With’ banner.  Writer and producer Steve Siler granted me permission to use it in church ministry. Feel free to do so yourself, but please abide by the usage rules below. He also has the lyrics translated in multiple languages, available for the asking.

 

What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Offer those gifts to God. More than likely there's a place out there that really needs your gifts to fight exploitation. You'll be amazed at the adventure He'll take you on.

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Music for the Soul intends that Child of God be available to be used free of charge by those ministering to persons rescued from sex trafficking or to help persons coming out of the sex industry.  If organizations want to use Child of God for live events, or package for use in promotional, educational, or curriculum media presentations, or for a premium piece (private label CD) to fundraise for their work or we will negotiate below market license rates to make that possible. "

To contact Music for the Soul for your own copy and permission to use simply e-mail them using the contact page at the site or call the toll free number at 1-877-298-9081. Anyone wishing to make a donation to support the free distribution of Child of God can do so at our website or by mail to Music for the Soul, P.O. Box 159027 , Nashville , TN 37215-9027

Comments

[Dawn Jewell]

Thanks for the great thoughts and quotes, Jennifer! Excellent points about qualities of leadership more than specific areas being critical. Lots of overlap with the fruits of the spirit, God-given qualities when we focus our sight on Him...

[Jennifer]

Thank you so much for taking the time to articulate these thoughts! You ask, "What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Offer those gifts to God."

I am reminded of Max Lucado in Cure for the Common Life where he spends much time looking at the gifts/skills/talents we are given and then admonishes with a quote from Romans 12:1, "Take your everyday, or ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering" (MSG).

I recently read a book by Jacqueline Novogratz, The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between the Rich and the Poor in an Interconnected World. In it she makes observations that I think contribute to this discussion:
"...we can--and must--infuse our young people with the qualities of leadership. More than any academic subject, judgment, empathy, focus, patience, and courage should be studied and cultivated. As our world gets more complex, smart and skilled generalists who know to listen to many perspectives across multiple disciplines will become more critical than ever" (246).

Sorry for the lengthy post. I could go on and on with this topic--mostly I just wanted to say thanks. I fully affirm the truth you speak: "....offer those gifts to God....You'll be amazed at the adventure He'll take you on."

Yes.