Last night we were privileged to have Jonathan David and Melissa Helser lead us in worship for our corporate ministry night. They are the couple who wrote "No Longer Slaves," a song recorded by the Helsers with Bethel Music that has been on the lips of worshippers across the globe. Such a powerful time of worship last night and such gifted and anointed worship leaders. It was a mini Bethel concert. The perks of being on the biggest YWAM base in the world. Isn't that crazy? I'm on the biggest Youth With A Mission training base in the entire world. It blows my mind. I used to listen to that song "No Longer Slaves" so many times in my car late at night driving home alone from my Thursday night young adult Forerunner service at IHOP Atlanta.
I've been very blessed here. God's given me the opportunity to hear many stories. It's been so real and authentic. You take time, you build relationships, and people tell you their stories.
I've heard some stories that have surprised me. I've heard stories that I found difficult to hear. I've heard stories that challenged me. I've heard stories that brought me to tears.
But among them all, I've learned one thing. That no matter what your story is, we're not that different. No matter where you are, no matter what you've been through or where you've been, we're all the same. Unworthiness, shame, failure, isolation, insecurity, comparison to others, distance from God, coldness and callousedness, doubts, fear, anxiety... Whatever we feel, we are not alone.
I'm surrounded by broken people here. God has gathered hundreds of people together all with our own stuff. And the one thing I've learned is that no matter how perfect and spiritually mature someone appears to be- they could be your greatest role model- none of us have it all together. I don't have it all together. None of us can be idolized and shouldn't be. We all have our own pieces that are broken, dark corners of our heart that we try to keep tucked away and hidden.
But God meets us right where we are. He comforts. He touches us. And He heals. He makes our pieces whole again. He breaks bondage. He frees. He makes beauty from what our eyes can only see as mistakes and struggles and failures. He sees us as a beautiful beautiful mess that He adores. That He adores with all of our imperfections. He thinks that you are amazing. Do you realize that? Even with all of our brokenness that we bring to Him in cupped hands and humbled hearts, He is crazy about you.
You think you love God. Hands lifted high to Heaven, singing, shouting, dancing, jumping, crying, weeping, a fire burning within your spirit. You think you'll explode if you love Him any more. But that is nothing compared to how in love with you He is. He loves you madly, more than we will ever get our minds around.
And isn't that a wonderful thought?
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