I m singing joyfully
Lyrics and Reflections by Ingrid Herrera
Song Text
I’m singing joyfully because You are my Lord.
You created me, hidden in the secret.
You have a plan for me to live on this earth.
That’s why I am standing here to glorify You.
You give me hope in hopeless situations.
You give me strength when I am weak.
When I am sad, You give me consolation.
In the darkness, You turn on a lamp.
You gave me a place where I can live.
I can enjoy the whole of nature.
So many flowers are speaking about You.
The little butterflies were formed fearfully by Your hand.
And when I have doubts and ask myself
if You are there and take care of me,
Your Holy Spirit is answering all questions.
He is leading me through life and transforming me.
Reflection Questions & Answers
Q: What does sister mean when she says, “You have created me hidden in the secret”? And what are these secrets?
A: When parents expect a baby, the greatest secret is whether it will be a boy or a girl, and how it will look. But God prepared me in my mother’s womb; He knew everything about me before I was born.
Q: How does sister feel about her purpose on earth, as stated in the line “You have a plan for me to live on this earth”?
A: Each one of us came to this earth with a purpose. God has planned our lives, and the only thing we have to do is to agree with this purpose, believe that all our days have meaning, and search for God’s will when we make decisions.
Some people have a great ministry, like the young Jewish girl in the Old Testament—Esther. She had no parents and lived with her uncle, but her life’s purpose was to become queen in the land where the Jews lived as slaves and to save her people from persecution and death. Her story is written in the book of Esther in the Bible. The name of God is not mentioned even once in that book, but God guided the people and circumstances so that everything came to a good end. The Jews still remember this event during the feast of Purim.
Q: In what ways has sister experienced hope from God in difficult situations?
A: There were several situations in my life when I did not know how things would continue. I will mention one: I had given up my job and wanted to go to the university. Everything was arranged—my room to rent and all I would need as a student in another town. But the day before I moved, I received a letter from the university saying that I had not been accepted because I lacked 0.1 points in my bachelor’s degree.
I was so sad, and I fasted. The same evening, I received a call from a company offering me a job. So I kept on working and studied later by distance at another university.
Q: How does sister describe the strength she receives from God when she is weak? Could you give an example?
A: Sometimes, when there is a conflict and I don’t know how to react or how to defend myself in a difficult situation, I need God’s strength and wisdom. Then I relax in the Lord, sleep well, and stop worrying about things that could cause headaches or stress. God gives me the strength to respond with wisdom, and often it is better to wait until the Lord gives a clear word about how to solve the problem.
Q: Can you explain the significance of the phrase “In the darkness You turn on a lamp” in the context of the song?
A: People often associate darkness with sadness, but I think a very dark situation is when you have to make a decision and you don’t know what to do—especially when it feels like a lose-lose situation. In Psalm 119 it says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God gives us light for the moment (the lamp) and guidance for the future (the path). With this clarity, we do not need to fear, because we know how life will go on.
Q: What is the significance of the place where sister lives and enjoys nature?
A: Nature is a gift God created for human beings. Every plant and animal was created with us in mind, so that we could enjoy it. Looking at nature should make us curious about the Creator and lead us to God. That is why I enjoy observing the beauty in nature—like the flowers and the animals—and thank God for letting me see it.
Q: How do the flowers and butterflies in the song represent God’s presence and care?
A: Jesus said, “Don’t worry, because if God takes care of the flowers and the birds, He will take care of you, too.” The flowers are beautiful, and their only purpose seems to be to reflect God’s glory. Birds always find food and material to build their nests. In the same way, I can be sure that God will provide for me, even when the world economy or politics are going badly.
Q: How does sister’s relationship with God help her overcome doubts and questions about her faith?
A: Doubts and questions are normal. The key is: whom do you ask for answers? It is not always good to ask people. It is better to go directly to God and ask Him, because He promises that every prayer will be answered.
Q: How does the Holy Spirit guide and transform sister’s life according to the lyrics?
A: The Holy Spirit lives in us. He warns and leads us when we must make decisions or when danger comes. He helps us to pray and reminds us of the words Jesus spoke.
Q: 2023 is ending. Sister, can you make a summary of this year? What moved you the most, and what made you grow further?
A: Several things. Our podcast means a lot to me, and I am happy that we can produce it. Restoring family relationships also moved me deeply. As for my future plans, I will share them once they are fulfilled.
Final Note from Ingrid’s Friend Kiki:
Ingrid Sister is a very important and inspiring friend to me. I am very lucky that we could become a team and create our podcast together. As she said, this podcast truly means a lot to us. I sincerely hope more and more listeners will join us from now on. Let us both sing joyfully!
