The winds of change...
(A rainbow that appeared Sunday after church as Brett and I walked along the river that runs through the city)
(A rainbow that appeared Sunday after church as Brett and I walked along the river that runs through the city)It is difficult for me to express how I feel after Thursday night's worship night at the university. Thank You for your prayers! One thing I keep sensing is that something has simply "changed". I feel changed, I saw others leave changed and I am continuing to see the effects even now in the lives of those students of this "change". I guess that is what happens when we let ourselves be open to what God wants to do and allow Him to move without hindering the Holy Spirit. We are changed.
Was it a success because of how many people were there? By the world's standards, certainly not. But of the 20 students who were there, many we had not met before and are now new friends, and we kept hearing over and over after we ended how amazing of an experience it was for those who came.
Was it a success because of the rockin' worship band and hyped atmosphere? By the world's standards, no. But we had an amazing, gifted freshman student play the piano and sing in a purely humble, Spirit-led way that helped usher people into the true heart of worship. One girl walked in and said that she immediately felt the presence of God so powerfully that she requested us to sing the song "Majesty" and so we all sang it a cappella and it was completely beautiful and moving (see video below to hear it).
Was it a success because of having a well-known speaker lead the time? By the world's standards, definitely not. But from the mouths of ordinary, broken people came words of truth, vision, prayers, prophetic words, visions, and dreams. 2 hours of uninterrupted worship to God that I am certain flowed out of that room and through the halls of the building, changing the very atmosphere of a place that is usually so resistant to God.
There was a spirit of freedom in that lecture hall that I have rarely felt amongst students here in this Norwegian culture. It is quite rare for people to desire to pray out loud at all, much less pray out in a group like that, but the prayers kept coming- for Trondheim, for the university, for students, for themselves...
I couldn't keep back the tears as I realized that what we were experiencing was a small part of the dream we have for students here in Trondheim. To be so touched by God that they are transformed on the inside in a way that they can't help but see the vision for their lives as dearly loved by God and called to be His servants right where He has placed them, as students at the university.
I am so thankful that I don't live by what the world often defines as success- especially in the ministry-realm, and instead can be confident that wherever God is moving, that is where I want to be, that is what I want to be a part of, and that is success in the eyes of the only One we need to look to for our identity and approval (who is as unchanging in His love as His love is uncompromising in its completness). We may plant seeds, but it is God who makes them grow. And we believe this is the beginning of something special. It feels as though the life-giving rain is beginning to softly fall... and it was just the encouragement we needed.
"He who has begun a good work will bring it to completion..."
Was it a success because of how many people were there? By the world's standards, certainly not. But of the 20 students who were there, many we had not met before and are now new friends, and we kept hearing over and over after we ended how amazing of an experience it was for those who came.
Was it a success because of the rockin' worship band and hyped atmosphere? By the world's standards, no. But we had an amazing, gifted freshman student play the piano and sing in a purely humble, Spirit-led way that helped usher people into the true heart of worship. One girl walked in and said that she immediately felt the presence of God so powerfully that she requested us to sing the song "Majesty" and so we all sang it a cappella and it was completely beautiful and moving (see video below to hear it).
Was it a success because of having a well-known speaker lead the time? By the world's standards, definitely not. But from the mouths of ordinary, broken people came words of truth, vision, prayers, prophetic words, visions, and dreams. 2 hours of uninterrupted worship to God that I am certain flowed out of that room and through the halls of the building, changing the very atmosphere of a place that is usually so resistant to God.
There was a spirit of freedom in that lecture hall that I have rarely felt amongst students here in this Norwegian culture. It is quite rare for people to desire to pray out loud at all, much less pray out in a group like that, but the prayers kept coming- for Trondheim, for the university, for students, for themselves...I couldn't keep back the tears as I realized that what we were experiencing was a small part of the dream we have for students here in Trondheim. To be so touched by God that they are transformed on the inside in a way that they can't help but see the vision for their lives as dearly loved by God and called to be His servants right where He has placed them, as students at the university.
I am so thankful that I don't live by what the world often defines as success- especially in the ministry-realm, and instead can be confident that wherever God is moving, that is where I want to be, that is what I want to be a part of, and that is success in the eyes of the only One we need to look to for our identity and approval (who is as unchanging in His love as His love is uncompromising in its completness). We may plant seeds, but it is God who makes them grow. And we believe this is the beginning of something special. It feels as though the life-giving rain is beginning to softly fall... and it was just the encouragement we needed.
"He who has begun a good work will bring it to completion..."
"The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus?" -Henry Nouwen
1 comment:
It brought tears to my eyes to read your blog this morning. I know that you know that you're exactly where you need to be, and doing exactly what you need to be doing, but thank you, God, for those affirming moments. I pray that God will continue His work in you and through you.
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