It's not another feather in my cap.

There has always been much confusion about how to fill life. When I tell people about Ghana Rock, many react almost as though they were responding to a clever joke... “Oh. That was good. Nice! You must be funny.” Similarly, I can almost hear their silent thought, “Wow. How cool! You must be such a good person.” When, following the concert, I listened to some say, “Congratulations,” it struck me as odd. They were impressed because they viewed Ghana Rock merely as my discovery of a means of fulfillment that was not harmful to me and provided a real sense of accomplishment and joy. They believed I had somehow maneuvered life to construct for myself a niche of gratification in Ghana Rock, much as words, ideas, emotions, and stereotypes might be manipulated to craft a humorous remark. Perhaps they had been relying on substitute fulfillment through any number of the harmful products and vices encouraged by the clueless society in which we live. Perhaps they had been searching high and low for security and contentment, only to be let down time and again. (Those feelings were at one time all too familiar to me. That they could even see the peace of Christ in me is testimony in itself to the grace of God.) But whatever their past experience, they had tragically missed the point.

What a shame that this amazing opportunity to witness God’s hand at work is overlooked merely as a good way to “fill” life. The concert and the cause behind it is NOT and has never been a means of fulfillment. And the joy that I have experienced as a result of Ghana Rock I know I never would have felt had I been searching for my life’s purpose, rather than responding to and leaning upon God throughout the process. I will gladly testify to such a joy because I realize it was the product of grace that seemed unlikely to me at the time, of love that seemed absurd, of God’s overwhelming and glorious display of sovereignty and steadfastness as He brought light out of darkness and loveliness out of hopelessness before my very eyes.

As the Ghana Rock team is planning and praying for the concert, we are incessantly reminded about the reason for Ghana Rock 2012 – to watch a miracle unfold, to see God move in ground-shaking, faith-building, unforgettable ways. Thank You Lord for lavishing all that You are on the undeserving. Thank You for giving us true fulfillment and purpose, for allowing us to find our identity and our sustenance, in You.

-Katie Hensel