From the evening of Jan. 2 to the afternoon of Jan. 4, 40,000 college students gathered in three different arenas: two in Atlanta, Georgia and one in Houston, Texas, to simultaneously worship with praise songs, listen to speakers and grow closer to Jesus Christ together as a huge gathering. I personally had a few thousand thoughts running through my mind throughout this overwhelmingly incredible weekend, and if you were one of the other 40,000, you can probably relate to most of them. So, here's a list of 30 spontaneously thoughts you probably had during Passion 2016.
1. I am seeing two other arenas on the screens, in real time. This is a miracle! Like, how is this happening? Can someone explain? Is this how Santa Claus works too?
2. Oh my goodness gracious, there are so many other students who love Jesus sitting in this arena! Just looking at all of them makes me want to cry with joy. We are family! We are one!. Let's do this, fam!
3. Our community groups start at 10:45 p.m.? Ha, I didn't need sleep anyway.
4. Coffee is seriously a gift from God.
5. The people in the area around the arena probably have no clue what hit them.
6. The people who work in the restaurants around the arena have a dazed look in their eyes, whenever we take a break for a meal. Bless them.
7. I've never seen so many people carrying Bibles in one place.
8. Whoa, how many church vans and buses are here?!
9. The Passion band though. This is as close to Heaven as we're gonna get here on earth.
10. Oh my goodness, Rend Collective is spectacular. And oh, a bagpipe player just walked out and he's wearing a legit kilt. And wow, I didn't know I could get emotional over bagpipe music until this moment. Excuse me while I buy a plane ticket to Ireland right now.
11. I think I have a pretty solid understanding of the Bible... Wait, what is John Piper saying about Revelation 13 now...?! Just kidding, I know nothing.
12. Besides Jesus, seeing Crowder's beard in person is the highlight of my weekend.
13. After the beard, the arctic fox on stage is the highlight of my weekend.
14. If I could memorize poetry and random useful information as well as Ravi Zacharias does, finals week would be so much easier.
15. Oh, this Levi Lusko guy seems pretty cool.
16. Oh, Levi Lusko is the most courageous and inspiring person that I've ever heard! I don't even know how to respond right now. I guess I'm just going to sit here in silence, sadness, and awe for the next several minutes. Or hours. Or days.
17. Matt Redman's accent is the best. Excuse me while I also buy a plane ticket to Great Britain.
18. Is that Chris Tomlin on stage?! Yes, that's really him! Wow, this is amazing!
19. I wonder how much it cost to buy plane tickets for all of the bands to fly back and forth between Houston and Atlanta.
20. Did Louie Giglio just manage to be at all three arenas in person, within 24 hours?!
21. Louie Giglio is Santa. That's the only explanation.
22. There's a line of sixty people waiting for the restroom during the ten minute break. I now have a new life saying for this weekend: "Just Hold It".
23. Wait, which rapper is on my stage? Also, I don't know really what they're saying right now, but it's awesome, whatever it is.
24. Christine Caine, I will get off of my "rusty dusty" and do something! I will! *cries* Oh, I never knew that a verbal spanking could hurt so good!
25. Hillsong, please sing "Oceans", please sing "Oceans", please sing "Oceans"... Yes, there it is. My life is now complete.
26. Why can't we have Indian food, baklava and barbecue at the wedding feast of the Lamb?
27. I'm really tired right now. The Spirit must work like an energy drink sometimes, because that's the only reason why I'm still standing.
28. I love you, Jesus!
29. My family group is the best. I didn't know that I could get so attached to people that I've only known for about 36 hours.
30. It's over?! But, I'm not ready yet! But then again, sleep is a very beautiful thing.
