Trusting God on Life’s Chessboard: A Lesson (and a Psalm) from ORU’s Lydia McNally
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Biblical Literature - English Bible
My sight is small, and my legs are weak.
I will trust the hand that moves me.
For he has already won and has never lost.
Ever inviting me to share in the victory.
—From “Resignation,” a psalm by Lydia McNally
As a theology major, ORU’s Lydia McNally was tasked with a difficult writing assignment … to create an original psalm for her class’s final presentation. The composition Lydia wrote was titled “Resignation,” a psalm from the perspective of a pawn in a chess game (you can read the full psalm below).
In Lydia’s psalm, the poetic lines connect to specific moves on a chessboard, like the game’s first move, which leaves a pawn sitting alone and feeling powerless. But the pawn isn’t actually alone; as Lydia describes it, “if humans are powerless pawns, God is a perfect and trustworthy player.”
Not Knowing the Next Move
Often, we don’t know where God, the “perfect and trustworthy player,” plans to move us. In high school, Lydia didn’t have a next move. ORU wasn’t on her radar, and she didn’t have a plan for where to attend college. But “the hand that moves” … it eventually pointed her towards a degree in theology.
“I started interning at my church,” Lydia said, “helping with the youth and working for our creative pastor. I had a lot of different responsibilities there, but the one thing I really enjoyed was writing sermons. That experience made me realize I was called to full-time ministry. I wanted to learn theology in a Christian space under people who were guarding my faith while teaching me difficult things about the Bible. So, I chose ORU.”
When God moves you to a new place, it’s often with the intent of helping you grow. As a theology major, Lydia says the things you learn in class aren’t the same things you hear on Sunday. It challenges your thinking, and this is where Lydia’s faith has grown the most.
“When I began studying theology,” Lydia said, “I told myself, ‘This isn’t the Bible I thought I knew.’ As a student, my views on the Bible have been challenged, and that’s helped me grow a lot. Another way I’ve grown is in the diversity of worship at ORU. I'm learning theology from people who are all worshiping in vastly different ways.”
"What I’ve learned is that leadership is not always the most glamorous or appreciated thing. It really is about being a servant.”
Moving in Order to Grow
In discussing her psalm “Resignation,” Lydia writes:
[W]here the speaker remembers to trust the Lord, their resignation is no longer lamented but accepted with contentment. They accept that although they are not strong enough to carry or defend themself, "the hand that moves" them is trustworthy and good.
At ORU, "the hand that moves” has guided Lydia into a position of leadership on campus. Currently, Lydia serves in ORU’s Chaplain Leadership Program. In her role as a Chaplain, Lydia meets the needs of other students through servant leadership, relationship-building, and spiritual encouragement. These responsibilities have shaped how Lydia approaches leadership. As she sees it, leadership isn’t always in the spotlight; it can be found in the small moments too.
“Much of leadership is done in silence,” Lydia said. “This semester, I saw the need for a Bible study, so I started one on my dorm floor. With the girls in this group, we’ve been going through the Bible together, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. I deeply appreciate the encouragement of the Chaplain program coordinators, but I’ve learned that my willingness to serve cannot depend on the amount of recognition I receive. There’s no one above me clapping for what I’ve done; no one giving me a high five every week. What I’ve learned is that leadership is not always the most glamorous or appreciated thing. It really is about being a servant.”
Looking ahead, Lydia says she has a passion for working with local churches and children, but she has also noticed a continually increasing passion for writing. Learning from Lydia’s story, our next step should be God’s step. After graduation, the “perfect and trustworthy player” could have something else in mind. For Lydia, this “something else” might be a career in writing.
“As a writer,” Lydia said, “I have an idea for a book about childlike faith. Specifically, what did Jesus mean when he said, ‘childlike faith’? Working around children, I’ve discovered some things that we, as Christians, should emulate. I don't have all the answers to the question yet, but I’ve been placed in an environment where I can learn more. It was definitely an intentional move by God.”
Resignation
A psalm of Lydia. To be sung with Kasparov and Topalov.
1 My sight is small, and my legs are weak.
I will trust the hand that moves me.
2 I am moved out alone.
I know I have no help.
3 Danger draws near.
I know not if I am defended.
4 My assurance fails as the battle rages
and my attackers only multiply.
5 Oh, that my legs could carry me!
That I could overtake my enemy and escape my danger!
6 But my sight is small, and my legs are weak.
I will trust the hand that moves me.
7 I will remember how you have guided me,
how you have brought me victory in your name.
8 And though threats overtake me
my allegiance is unchanged.
9 Though I reside in the enemy’s camp,
you remain my banner and my hope.
10 For this world and everything in it is yours!
All will be returned to your hand.
11 My sight is small, and my legs are weak.
I will trust the hand that moves me.
12 For he has already won and has never lost.
Ever inviting me to share in the victory.
UNIVERSITY BRIEF
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 15 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 151 nations in the last four years to be whole leaders for the whole world.
The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2024). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.
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- #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
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