Let's set the scene: 1500+ high school and middle school aged students, packed into a high school gym, singing, dancing, and breaking free in the presence of God. Sound like something we make up to inspire people to come to us, doesn't it? Sounds like a big fairytale that we would like for us, doesn't it? All this sounds like something that is entirely impossible for a community to put together by themselves, doesn't it?Study those questions for a minute. All of it does seem like a big, optimistic situation that a church community can dream of. In our social "reality" people say it's impossible. It's impossible for 1500 youth to experience something that makes them stop all the wrongs they've fallen into. It's impossible for a teenager that has become addicted to alcohol and drugs to find a way out of the hole and back onto a solid foundation. It's impossible for a high school relationship to go on without sex as a driving factor. I hear all of the above statements as I roam through our "reality." And, to be honest, all those statements are absolutely true. It's impossible for a teenager in our society to get through without making a huge, life altering mistake. By themselves. By themselves it's impossible for a teenager to make it through unscathed.
Here's the wrinkle in our social "reality's" thinking: The 1500 kids at Tumwater High School last night, were not by themselves. As much as some hate hearing it, the 1500 youth that crowded into the hot, stuffy gym were greeted with a loving embrace and gentle hands of Jesus Christ. Whether they felt it or not, everyone in that gym was changed for life. As I looked around during the crazy worship sessions, I could feel the tangible presence of God in the building. A building that had housed the full student body of the school merely 9 hours before. A building that is only thought of as a school. A building that has seen pain, suffering, and anguish. Just a school, not a church. But this building was hallowed last night. The presence of God made His debut to lives. 75 students publicly confessed their comittment to Christ, and I know more than that felt a little more than a knock on their hearts. I can guarantee that all of the 1500+ students knew that God was there. With God, they professed their love. With God, they experienced the absolute and awesome joy that only He can provide.
Last night, the "impossible" was accomplished. I believe that every student there was changed. All were forgiven. All were cleansed. All were listened to. The "impossible" was blown out of the water. Our societies standards of what is "impossible" or fake were given a sweet slap to the face last night. Because of last night, over one thousand youth can stand up and confidently challenge anyone to come witness all of God's glory. Last night didn't just plant a seed, it transposed a tree. The seeds were planted, watered and grown by the time everyone left the parking lot.
My Prayer:
God,
Help us realize that impossible is a word with meaning only when we forget you are there. Grant us the faith and courage in times of hardest anguish to go back to Your Kingdom and cry out for your wisdom. I pray that every student that was in that gymasium, and every student that couldn't make it be protected and blessed by You. I pray for your guidance to everyone there, and for the constant reminder that absolutely nothing is impossible with You carrying us in Your loving hands.
Amen
