How do I summarize four days spent in the Georgia Dome with over 60,000 college students worshipping the same God?
Heavenly. So, so divine and heavenly!
The Lord used Passion 2013 to revive and restore me. Every moment spent in the dome, it was as if God was telling me over and over, "Look, daughter! Look! I have been restoring you...you are coming alive
in Me!"
I felt that Passion 2013 was a celebration for me. A celebration of the year of 2012, a celebration that the Lord has brought me to my knees, a celebration for everything He has done! I have so much to celebrate!! I can truly say that I have never been so happy in my life. The joy that was felt in the Dome was indescribable. The Holy Spirt was definitely felt and was moving in the hearts of thousands. There were so many moments during worship that I would just close my eyes and hear the echoes of all the voices singing praises to our KING! And then I'd hear that familiar whisper again, "
My child, do you remember? I told you that the pain that you've been feeling cannot compare the joy that's coming! Feel this joy...feel this freedom! I am setting your heart free...I have healed it, you are free! You are free to run, you are free to dance! You are free to live for me. I have bound up your wounds, just like I promised."
If there was one thing that was made even clearer it was the fact that the Lord has given me these desires and dreams to go overseas and work with orphans and the less fortunate children. As we sung, prayed, and meditated- God would literally reveal glimpses of the life He has for me....a brief view of a child's grimy hand holding mine, the sound of their laughter, a line of barefooted, dark-skinned children giggling in the sun...I see them. I don't know who
they are- but the Lord will lead me...And as the congregation of 60,000 students reflected and prayed, I know this was the Holy Spirit, again, at work in me. It is only when I become busy with my life and my plans, that these reoccurring dreams feel insignificant, as if its just my imagination. But, when I look back onto when I have heard God's voice the clearest, it is when I have allowed myself to rest in His word, to renew my mind, and to focus on the things above.
Every night and morning we would break into community groups of about 800, which would then break down into family groups of 8. On the last morning, our leader of the community group asked everyone to stand up who felt God calling them to go overseas to spread the Gospel and who were ready to proclaim that they were going to be obedient to their calling. When I heard the question, I realized I had never publicly confirmed that I was willing to
go. And I knew it was time. I stood up, feeling a giant lump form in my throat as I watched dozens of other students my age standing up.
These are my brothers and sisters who will be serving with me on the mission field someday. As my family group gathered around me and prayed over me, the tears began to spill over. God is so good. I listened the sound of their prayers, praying for
me, and I suddenly became so grateful...
The pain I experienced this past semester was actually my protection. The Lord protected me from following the wrong path, the wrong spouse, the wrong life. My pain has been my preparation for greater things to come. ~Oh, I wish I could describe every moment experienced at Passion...the presence of our Holy God was so, so real. There were so many moments I just felt tears welling up, tears because I was realizing all over again
how great our God is.
