On Chasing God... And Mackay

Wow. I am in awe of the greatness and mercy of God.

For a long time I have been moving through life, numb to the things of God. Sure, there is a deep abiding connection that anchors me to Him regardless of where I am at in the journey. Sure, I have been praying occasionally, listening to music, catching time with God where I can. Sure, I am committed to church and running a youth group. But all this time the numbness has been growing. I have been completely preoccupied with work, music, movies, social connections. I didn't realise that God had become a sideshow. Funny how that can creep up on you.

For a long time I've had this item in my mental to-do list. "Get right with God. Restore balance in your spirit." So when I had the opportunity to move into my own place, I took it. Living on my own is awesome. I determine the spiritual atmosphere around me. I have complete control over my time (and I'm saving heaps on fuel and rent). As soon as I moved into my own place, I began to take steps toward re-digging my well and getting hungry for God. I put in place some guidelines. Like "Spiritual Food before Physical Food". I decided I was sick of forgetting to spend time with God each day, so until I have my daily God-Time I'm not allowed to eat. Sort of my version of fasting. I also began reading God Chasers by Tommy Tenney.

After a couple weeks, I began to feel my spirit making steps back to God. My hunger had increased. Suddenly the thing I desired most in the world was spiritual restoration. That was my prayer as I was heading to Mackay on Tuesday for Extreme Conference. I used to have such awesome God Encounters, such a close connection. I wanted that back.

Extreme was flipping insane. Immediately, in the first session you could sense that all the youth were so hungry for God. The quality of teaching was fantastic. Not basic "Get Saved" stuff, it was excellent for young adults and leaders. On Wednesday night, God slammed me. I spoke with the Holy Spirit like I haven't done in so long. While I was laying at the altar, crying my guts out, He began to show me the path I should be walking.

Thursday night was even more intense. I think everyone in the auditorium saw Jesus that night. At one point, I got up on my knees, and looked across the auditorium. There was not a single person higher than the chairs. Everyone was on their knees or their backs, crying out to God, while James Murray was preaching from the pulpit like some revivalist preacher of old.

More Soon...