Wednesday, March 28, 2007

4 Simple Words

This last weekend was a huge success. For those who may not be aware. The last 9 months have been an ongoing process of preparation for a weekend retreat called Chrysalis. It is a three day weekend experience for young people to come and learn the love of Christ in a life changing way. With the help of my Lord and Savior and the many godly people on my team, this weekend went extremely well. Hope to the hopeless, lives changed, the love of Christ felt, healing of past hurts, reconnection and re commitments. I love it when God shows up and does the work only He can do.

This weekend for me affirmed the message that God has been speaking to me over the last year. OBEDIENCE IN ALL THINGS, daily yielding to Him! As the head director of this weekend I have been responsible for many decisions, preparing the team, training and directing meetings. I have had to daily align myself with Christ so that all that needed to be accomplished would be done and not by my will but the will of the Father. There have been things that I have had to say or do that have not always made the most earthly sense. Yet as it all played out it was exactly what God needed to do in order for all to be accomplished.

If I were to wrap up how I felt throughout the weekend it would be immersed in the Spirit. As one person dreamed, they saw me in a room filled with water, a look of peace upon my face and a gentle smile. This is exactly how I felt. Completely and totally immersed in God's presence, surrounded by His perfect peace and filled with joy.

I am always amazed at how beautiful it is when the Body of Christ comes together to love and serve on Christ behalf. It is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I am ever thankful for the people God raised up to serve on this weekend. It was a pleasure to lead them. Logistically it could not have gone smoother.

My most touching moment of the weekend came at the closing. We were seconds away from officially being done. The community was taking communion when a woman came to me and said four simple words, "I'm proud of you!" I began to cry. This woman was not just any woman, she had been my table leader on my Chrysalis weekend 12 years earlier. She knew the broken girl that I was. I could not help but think of my faith journey over the last twelve years. We have come along way. To think that He would use ME! It blows my mind. He has raised me up to be a leader for such a time as this. For His glory. For one who knows where I came from and all that I have been through to say they were proud of me was my greatest reward. I can not help smiling. God showed up, He used even me and accomplished much on behalf of His kingdom this weekend.

Praise be to God!
God Loves You and So Do I!

1 Timothy 1:15-17

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3 comments:

Wendy said...

How awesome! I'm so glad you got to be a part of it and your testimony and life are inspiring! God is good!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Oh, S, I am so glad that God affirmed your efforts by doing such a great work with your Chrysalis weekend.

Praise the LORD! :-)

KelseyChristine said...

It sounds like a really cool weekend! I wish I could have gone...

I started reading your blog late so it was very interesting for me to go back and read your testimony and some of your other posts. It is so amazing to see the transformation that's happened in your life. I have been having lots of doubts/questions/uncertainty about my faith lately and its kind of scary. Reading your posts was refreshing though and helped encourage me to keep seeking God because He's obviously real to somebody :)

Thanks!