We're back home from Abbotsford, and Historymaker is over. Personally, I am glad that I went this year. I have been inspired by the speakers and worship leaders, and I do feel that my life is a little bit different now that I am back into the weekly routines. Many memories were made this weekend, and I cherish them all along with the people who went to Historymaker. Anyway, on to the recap!
Worship on Sunday introduced me to the band Downhere. I actually haven't heard of them before, but I gotta say that I'm fond of their songs. One of their songs, A Better Way, was quite touching to me. The lyrics talk about how there is no better way to say "I love you", than what Jesus did on the cross. I was reminded that God's love is perfect, and there is nothing greater than His love.
I felt a bit of Historymaker nostalgia when David Nasser came up to speak during the fourth general session Sunday morning. It's funny, because each time I hear David Nasser speak, it's like his sermons are successively getting more serious and assertive. The past few sessions this weekend had us following the examples of people in the bible, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. But David reminded us that our fundamental model of Christian living is Jesus. When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see that not only was He the greatest preacher, but He was also a servant. In fact, the two go hand in hand. If you look at the example of when Jesus feeds the five thousand men (John 6), He served the people when they needed food. The next day, when Jesus leaves, all the people who were fed went to find Him again. In verse 26 of the chapter, Jesus knew that the people came not because of His miracles, but because they were given bread and had their fill. It is through this that Jesus tells the people, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
Sometimes we see a need, but are too quick to go into preacher mode, rather than actually helping them. Sure it's easy to open up a bible and say what God says, but what good is it when our actions do nothing to back them up? We can tell the orphan that he has been adopted into God's family and is an heir to God's inheritance, but it is meaningless to him no one finds him a home. Service and compassion are the mound that we make our stance on in order to preach to the world.
The last session featured speaker Matt Tapley, someone I've never heard speak before. In some ways this is good. For one, I don't know what to expect. As well, instead of getting excited for the person speaking, I get to be completely excited about God, who is the real speaker. Matt's talk was about the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and how God used them to bring an entire army of Philistines into panic and confusion (1 Samuel 14:1-23). As Christians, we are in a fight. This isn't a fight of flesh and blood, but of a spiritual nature. As such, we cannot just sit by a wait for the enemy to come to our doorstep. We've got to go on the offensive and bring the fight to the enemy's door! That's exactly what Jonathan and his armor-bearer did. They crossed many cliffs and climbed on their hands a feet in order to bring the fight to the Philistines. Because of their faith in God's saving power, God sent a panic to the entire army, and caused them to fight each other! We need the faith that Jonathan has. Faith that causes us to take action when nothing is happening. Faith that God will bring victory. Faith that is not dead, but with action.
I found the last two sessions very challenging. Very often I find myself sitting around doing nothing, when God has a plan for my life, and wants me to change the world around me. It is inspiring to hear the stories not only of those in the bible, but in the world today as well. Throughout the weekend we have heard stories of students starting up prayer groups, wells being built in countries with now clean water, and children being given the necessities of life through sponsorship. There are so many things to do, but the workers are few. Maybe it's time to stop sitting around, and stand up.
Reubs
Very well summarized Reubs! =)
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