I Saw What I Saw

A friend forwarded this video to me. I watched it not knowing what it would be about. And it turned out to be a song with lyrics and a message that I can't get out of my head. Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdP6PqsbJY Her name is Sara Groves and the song is called "I Saw What I Saw." Here are the lyrics: I saw what I saw and I can't forget it I heard what I heard and I can't go back I know what I know and I can't deny it Something on the road, cut me to the soul Your pain has changed me Your dream inspires Your face a memory Your hope a fire Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of (what I am made of) And what I know of love We've done what we've done and we can't erase it We are what we are and it's more than enough We have what we have but it's no substitution Something on the road, cut me to the soul I say what I say with no hesitation I have what I have but I'm giving it up I do what I do with deep conviction Something along the road, changed my world I can't really put into words how much this song hits home for me. When I was in Uganda, and especially when I got back-- this is how I felt. The first stanza is exactly how I feel about what I witnessed. That's why my life revolves around working for justice. Because I can't forget what I've seen and heard, and what I know. I don't think that a person can forget something like that. I wish that everyone was required to spend some time in places like Africa so that they could see it, not forget about it, and be moved to action. If only... The line, "Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of (what I am made of)" has been resonating within my head all day. The courage and light shown by all of the people that I met while I was there--even in the face of terrible poverty, war, and other hardships--confronted my innermost fears. If they could do it, so could I. Their courage in the face of the things holding them down, asks me what am I going to do to help? What am I going to do to change their situation and make their lives better. Because they deserve to have everything I've got in me to give them-and more. So I am working on getting over my fear of giving myself completely. I have what it takes to make this world a better place for us all to live it. The fact that others can show that kind of inner resilience and strength tells me that I can too. I think that this is going to be one of those phrases which holds different meanings for me at different places along my journey. "I do what I do with deep conviction" and the two lines before that... The definition of conviction is " an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence." I have an unshakable belief in God and in doing what is right. I have no evidence that this is the correct way to live life-according to God's will. My proof lies in my heart. So I learn about all of these 'causes', and I educate as many others as I can about them, and I serve those who are less fortunate and suffering, and I dedicate my life to trying to make this world a little better for all who live here because I know in my heart that it is what God intended for me to do. "Something along the road cut me to the soul... and changed my world." I don't know what it was or how it happened. But my journey has become this insatiable need to serve God and to be the change that the world needs to see. Needless to say, I loved this song.