Out of all the recent articles I've had the privilege of writing, I have yet to discuss the one thing i hold most high: my faith. I recently had the opportunity to lead a group of middle schoolers form my church out on a local mission trip, and much of it was eye-opening. God's plan for my life takes highest priority, so whenever it feels as though he's placed an open door in front of me, I step through it without hesitation. Being a leader to these middle schoolers was one of those doors: and it was an opportunity that changed me forever. The experience to step out and watch these kids grow in their faith was not only a privilege as their leader, but as their friend, it was incredible. I had prayed in the weeks leading up to the trip that God would use me in mighty ways to speak to these teenagers, as well as the community of Belle Glade: a city in Florida in which our missionary work presided. Though it wasn't a surprise (because I serve a God that I KNOW will do great things), prayers were answered in mighty ways. God had revealed scripture that had already been highlighted in my bible from many years ago, and it was literally him instructing me what to share with my group during team time each night.
This was my 6th year going on this same trip- 5 years as a student, but my first as a village leader. I had felt God's presence so apparent. It was this very trip that i surrendered my life to him just 3 years ago, and each year it just reminded me of how great the God we serve really is. Because of the environment, it practically forces students on the trip to have some "quiet time" with the Lord; a chance to get to know him on an intimate level. Each year has grown me in my faith in different ways. Each was unique in its own form. This trip, however, was just so miraculously unique that its hard to put into words what it entailed. I was so used to being a student and having a village leader to lean on for spiritual growth; now I-along with my co-leader- was that person for 12 other students. It was something we had yet to experience, but something we were very excited to embrace.
The central message to everyone during worship each night was this: we are set apart and made perfect in the image of the creator. It lasted for 4 straight days. Each night consisted of that central message, but told from many different aspects. On the last day (which was always known as the most impactful day of worhsip), it was time to reiterate the message one last time. This wasn't supposed to be just a simple "we are set apart" focal point that so many consider cliche. It meant so much more than that. The biggest piece of advice that my co-leader and I gave to them that night before worship was this: your faith is not confined to the walls of the gym we do praise and worship in; your faith is simply beginning here. We said that the real work and spiritual growth begins in the midst of daily life; that faith is so much more than the intimacy that many feel with God when on this Belle Glade Mission Trip. We told them it didn't have to end there; that, should they choose to stay in the word, God is just starting your journey.
Why did we say these things? Because after all the years of going on the trip as a student, it was sad to see how many lost that burning desire to worship the Lord and pursue him endlessly. Many didn't care to carry on their faith in Christ to the level they had in Belle Glade. Even I was guilty of it. Luckily, God had bigger plans for my life. After much searching, he pointed me towards answers that led me to where I am now: a middle school leader.
The fact of the matter is this: we serve a God that is endless in love and peace for his creation. No matter what, he pursues us so often, but often times, we fail to do the same right back. So sitting with my group on that last night before worship I had to share with them something God had put on my heart to write: a "spoken word" type literature about him and his glory. He wanted me to share with them the change I had seen in my life through his love and mercy, as well as the other lives I've seen changed. It read something like this:
"I know some that were addicted to themselves; I know some that were addicted to worshipping idols;I know some that were addicted to their social media; I know some that were addicted to their lovers; I know some that were addicted to lust; i know some that were addicted to being boastful; i know some that were addicted to pride; I know some that were addicted to drugs, and some to alcohol; I know some that were addicted to the false words that have held them down for so long; I know some that were addicted to the chains that shackled them down in defeat; I know some that were torn apart by their own wrongdoings: that were confined by the desires we alll are guilty of pursuing once or twice; But even in the midst of ourselves and in the midst of the chaos that wrestles for our minds, we cling to a hope that some of us know are out there, and some of us continue to seek. What sets us apart is not ourselves; what sets us apart is not what we have on our hearts, but what God has for our hearts; what he has for our lives. So if someone were to ask you 'Who is this God you worship? Who is this being we speak so highly of? And what has he done for you?' What would you say? The mere though of answering those questions would start with a simple phrase along the lines of 'where do I even begin?' as tears begin to shed down the faces that know exactly what it would mean to answer all of this. So who is God? Well, he's a God thats forgiving; he's a God that can turn around the life of even the farthest gone; he's a God that can suddenly make the relevant addictions of a past become an irrelevant nothing to your future. He's a God that, should you pursue him, will change the heart around like the flip of a switch, and make his desire your only desire. He's a God that says to us 'be still, and know that i am here' just because he has that kind of power. He's a God that sets us apart because he has declared "we are set apart"; we are his beautiful creation that has yet even fathom in our deepest faith, how much he loves us, because as he says 'now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love'. He is love. He is change. He is comfort. He is peace. He is happiness. Let those who know what these feelings are come to the forefront and declare in front of many witnesses his amazing, beautiful, wonderful power. Let those who are coming to him just come and be still. Let those that lay in ruins come to him so they can declare how set apart and masterful we are made in his image; to declare his glory. Thats what God means. He is the light to the darkness. God is strength. He can turn those that don't have the slightest bit of confidence into a champion that is hungry to win over the hearts of the least of these. He builds a resiliency inside that gives courage, gives hope, and gives a burning desire to worship in even the filthiest of times. He gives one the guts to say to our enemy 'I will not give in'. Thats what our God does- and so much more. So get excited, because you've been set apart to pursue endlessly this God that is so gracious, its a grace undeserving. The only thing we crave, at that point, is an addiction to honor the God who can do all these things."
