A Year To Remember

As a Christian, it is easy to speak truths about God.  Often times, though, these truths are spoken out of habit, more than out of one's deep longing to press in to God's presence, even in the worst of times.

Just over one year ago, my family was deeply involved in a wonderful youth ministry at our church.  On a bi-weekly basis, we watched God break through and change our young people by the power of His Spirit.  Even though the church didn't conduct worship services the way we most preferred, and didn't seem to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the manifestation of certain spiritual gifts, as we did, we pressed on.  We were learning how to keep the main thing the Main Thing.  That being the truth of Jesus Christ.

Then, it happened.  In the midst of a large youth event, our world as we knew it came crashing down around us.  I knew at once that the current chapter of my life was over.  The odd thing, though, was that I felt something that I had been longing to experience, in fullness, for a long time.  Freedom.  In the midst of the noise and confusion, I felt peace. Quiet. Stillness. Freedom.

Once you experience the path to freedom, you dare not venture far from it, even if it means leaving all you knew and those you love. We believed that God would lead us to the next step on our journey. Through strong words of confirmation, we knew that God was opening the door to the next chapter of our lives.  It was exciting, unknown, caused some nervousness, yet kept us on the path of freedom.  Since the first Sunday of January, 2011, we have called Vineyard Community Church of London, "home."  There isn't enough time to tell, or ears to hear all that has happened since our time began with the Vineyard family.  It feels like I've grown more this past year than in all of my years combined.  God has shown me incredible truths about His love, presence, and His desire that all would come to Him.  Whether it be serving our community, sitting under life-changing teaching, or building new relationships, we now know that it is possible to live in freedom.  There is no more hiding.  I am a believer of Jesus Christ, filled and operating in the power of His Holy Spirit, expecting gifts of His Spirit to flow through me along every step of my way. 

Even today, not everyone understands, nor will they.  Yet, my prayer is this: That all would know how wide and deep is the love of Jesus.  That all would seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and experience the truths and power of a Spirit-filled life.  That all would seek Him while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. That all would taste the refreshing of the Water that satisfies eternally.  That all would dare to drink from the Well.