As many of you already know, this past week I went with my home church to the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. If you follow any of my social media, you know that we had the BEST time and thousands of lives were changed. However, I don’t think my few tweets and insta post do the experience justice. But honestly, nothing I say could completely illustrate the powerful things that happened at Passion, but I would like to share my favorite parts.

First and for most, the worship was my all-time favorite. That’s a given, since we all know Sarah is just a little songbird who could sing every minute for the rest of her life. Worship is my favorite thing to do, no if, ands, or buts about it. I L-O-V-E worship. I am at my happiest when I am praising the name of my beautiful Savior, and nothing can stop me when I am in the presence of God shouting how wonderful He is. At Passion we had the opportunity to be led in worship by amazing leaders like Kristian Stanfill and the whole Passion Band, Christy Nockels, Crowder, Hillsong United, Matt Redmon, Chris Tomlin, and my personal favorite Sean Curran (who, only few will understand, is the G.O.A.T. worship leader/song writer). There was even a surprise appearance by another one of my favorite artist, Carrie Underwood! How cool is that?!?! All these amazing artist use the talent God has given them to lead FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND college students to the throne. When worshipping during these three days I felt emotions that are hard to explain, but I would use the word “overwhelming”. My realization of just how much God love ME, a sinner: broken, bruised, suffering, and completely imperfect. That love is overwhelming; His power to turn the worst of the worst into something good is overwhelming, His plans for my life are overwhelming. All of this and more were felt while pouring out my heart to Him through song.

Passion also went full blown crazy with the great speakers they brought in to teach, encourage, and challenge us. It all started with Christine Caine urging us to start our journeys NOW and HERE where God has placed us. She explained that the results of years of ministry don’t just happen we have to work hard and probably even suffer to one day see those results; but it is worth it. The next morning John Piper taught us that not fully hating the essence of evil will ruin our ideas, thoughts, and relationship with the Lord. Beth Moore (yes, THE Beth Moore) challenge us to begin to really know Jesus so that nothing in this world can take our gaze off of Him. Then that night, Louie Giglio presented the gospel in a way that I will forever remember where he emphasized that the cross is the center of it all; and when we say “yes” to Jesus we get to be a part of His parade. Finally, the last morning Levi Lusko taught us that suffering will come and we have to be crushed in order to be fragrant for Christ. Now that’s a crazy amount of Jesus given to us and a lot to take in, but it is all too important to ignore. However, even though all of these speakers brought powerful messages, my favorite speakers were Jay and Katherine Wolf. If you don’t know their story, I highly recommend you look it up and get to know about them. They taught us that suffering is something to be thankful for. Katherine said something so powerful to us; she said that our suffering is something to be cherished. Now that’s crazy. Who thinks to cherish their suffering? We all know to be thankful for it and be patient for what’s to come of it, but we never cherish it while we are in the midst of it and see it as a treasure and gift from God. The Wolf’s story changed my whole outlook on suffering and pain. I should be honored to suffer for the Lord, and although it hurts, it’s something to hold dear to us and really treasure.

Again, I can’t explain the emotions of Passion in a way that anyone could fully understand what it was like, but I hope this encouraged, inspired, or taught you something. I encourage you to look up the sermons from passion and watch them and allow yourself to experience these same feelings; you won’t regret it. And college friends, if you ever get the chance to go to a Passion Conference, don’t hesitate! It will turn your world upside down and set you on fire for God if you let it.