Linda Brinkman
Linda Brinkman
The Netherlands Territory
When my mom once cycled past a Salvation Army corps, she was drawn inside by the music she heard and was so kindly received that she stayed. She had found her spiritual home and later our family joined. I was about four years old at the time.
I am a member of the music council for the Salvation Army in the Netherlands where I translate songs into Dutch. I enjoy playing piano during meetings at our corps where my husband has been appointed as a missionary worker which means he serves and leads the corps. We are blessed with two sons. From a young age, I started writing songs and lyrics. I love seeing what God can do with little seeds to make them blossom. I am grateful for people who share the same passion and enjoy learning and collaborating with them. I think music is a wonderful way to express feelings, to let emotions in or out, to receive and share blessings, and ultimately to be built up in faith. As William Booth said, “What wind is to sails, music does to the soul.”
I had already written this song, but it took on a more profound meaning for me after I had a traumatic cycling accident. I was on my way home after leading worship for the first time on a Sunday when someone jumped out of a van and ran towards me very quickly. I was pulled off my bike by a very strong hand and had a hard landing on the street. I ended up breaking my collarbone. The words of the first verse say, “When in need, He rescues me, lifts me up with His strong and mighty hand.” This happened to me as I lay in the street with no one in sight except a big, muscular man who rushed over to help me and make sure I was alright. God took care of me in that moment. He is my safety. The refrain is a familiar hymn based on Exodus 33:21-23 where God says to Moses, “There is a place near me where you can stand on a rock. When my glory passes, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I pass by.” I chose the word refuge in the verses because Moses wrote Psalm 90 where he calls the Lord a refuge. “You have been a refuge for us from generation to generation.” I chose the word friend because Moses is called a friend of God referenced in Exodus 33:16-18. The Lord said again to Moses, “Again, I will do what you ask, because you are my friend and I want to be good and kind to you.”
My prayer is that like Moses, you too can experience that God is your security and friend, and that you may notice His glory in your life.
