Nashville...wow....what a week! What a range of emotions
were felt in less than six whole days. The excitement of meeting new friends.
The remarkable ability to accept and be accepted by these people as if you have
known each other much longer than a few days. The tiresome physical work
accomplished at food banks and thrift stores. The rewarding service performed
at community centers and homeless shelters. The entertaining free time and
evening activities. The uplifting worship songs and enriching Biblical messages
shared. The encouraging church time of sharing as a family. The realization of
what a difference very different people can make with a singular goal. The magnificent
work of the Holy Spirit inside of hearts awakening desires and shifting
priorities. The bittersweet goodbyes shared with others that have encountered
the power of a living Christ in person by your side. The return to normal
routines surrounded by people without the same experience. The slow slide back
into habits that brought about feelings of guilt and shame not long ago. The
desire to feel the mountaintop of being in Tennessee. The deep need to be
rescued from the darkness that surrounds.
If we were to attempt to prolong the "mountaintop"
by sleeping on the same hard floors and deflating air mattresses, eating the same Eggos and sandwiches, and accomplishing
the same mission jobs, eventually the "high" would run out and we
would have to find something new to fill the void.
BUT, there is hope! Following Christ is not about sticking
to a bunch of rules that tell us what we cannot do. Being a follower of Christ
is freedom from having to "fill the void". Jesus fills the void for
us. He takes away our personal desires that we can never seem to find a
permanent satisfaction for.
I can do all things through Christ who strengths me. -
Philippians 4:13
Being able to do all things does not equal winning the
sporting event, passing the academic test, or pleasing that guy/girl that means
so much to us. Being able to do all things through Jesus Christ allows us to no
longer HAVE to win the sporting event, pass the academic test, or please that
guy/girl that means so much to us in order to fill our hearts. Christ frees us
from the need/desire/craving/yearning find a satisfactory acceptance by the
world around us.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2
Through a heart hidden in Christ, YOU are a new creation.
You no longer have to endlessly search for the next thing to make you "happy".
Jesus, YOU are my joy!
My prayer for you: Father, pour out Your grace and love in a
way that has never been experienced before in their life. Take away the
personal image they hold of themselves. Destroy the way they believe others see
them as well. Place inside their heart the way You see them. Let them see the
beautiful, masterpiece that You created only for them. Allow them to see the
peace that only You provide. Lead them to others to encourage, as well as, be
encouraged by. Above all else, I pray that they look back on Nashville 2012 as
the point in their life that eternally altered their course along this journey.
Here for you.
In His love,
Rand
Before, during, and after all the emotion of such an
impactful week, one thing remains the same.
One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture (<<<------ Check out the link!)
