Be Still

Move in the Spirit

Looking up at the church I've called home for the past 13 years I take in all the things I've missed. From the wide doors at the front that lead to the main sanctuary. The smell of freshly cleaned carpet and leather bound books trail into my nostrils.  My feet walked the grey carpeted halls, my memory leading the way, as we enter a small room. My eyes scan the room reminiscing on all the memories made in this room.

I first remember this room as a conference room, a long wood table laid in the middle with swirly chairs placed around them. The swirly chairs became roller coasters in our young minds as Kara, Jack, and I spun the day away. Constantly testing the words of our parents, who said," don't spin in those chairs, you'll break em!" 

Then five years later we watched as the long wooden table and swirly chairs exited the room. In there place came big couches and comfy chairs. A small mini fridge for soda and a table for snacks, and a foosball table, where tense and heated matches were held to the point friendships were questioned.

Along with the room spurred the youth ministry and it's message that was painted in gold cursive letters,' Live Out Loud.' It means live out loud for Jesus and let your life present who you believe.

I hadn't really been 'Living Out Loud,' I guess that's why I'm here tonight.

After grabbing a pack of powdered donuts I sit down next to my new found friends, and finish them just as Pastor Walt walks in with his Bible and smoothie. The air lapping behind him as he takes a seat.

"Good Evening,' he greets as he sits down, Kara slips in quietly before sitting down next to me.
" Hi," I whisper.
" Hello," she responds politely, while taking off her coat.
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We prayed before opening our Bibles. Luckily I had grabbed mine off my night stand.

" Alrighty everyone turn to Mark, chapter, 4. If you don't have a Bible, there are some in the back corner of the wall" Pastor Walt says while pointing at a small shelf in the back stacked with different kinds of Bibles, " You can also share with your neighbors, great way to make friends to," he finishes with a thumbs up.
" Okay so if  you're at Mark chapter 4 shout,' Oh yeah!"
I hear some ' Oh Yeah's,' but they're mainly mumbled by the rest of us not so confident people.
" Okay! Who wants to read verses 35-38?" At that question, crickets were heard. Someone's pen dropped, and you could hear the echo. That's how silent it was.
" Don't go jumping for a chance you guys," Pastor Walt jokes, ' It's only four short verses." Fortunately, Natalie, a girl on the worship team, volunteered.
" Okiedookee, go ahead and read verses 35-38, then someone will read the rest." She nods and begins to read with great passion.
" That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped."
" Great job, so any thoughts on the verses that were just read," Pastor Walt asked, and was met with more silence before someone spoke up.
" Well what's a squall," a boy with long brown hair up to his earlobe, who looked to be a freshman.
" A squall is basically a giant storm."
" Oh okay."
" Yep, any other thoughts or questions," this time Blake spoke up.
" Well when I read this I like to think that the disciples were like,' How can Jesus sleep at a time like this. Like how my brother was knocked when there was a tornado outside when we were five," he says with a chuckle," But in my perspective if I were there I would think,' Where's Jesus, He's supposed to be there."
" Yes, exactly. Great story by the way! But I agree sometimes I feel as Christians we always question where God is when we're in trouble. "
At these words my heart sped up, yes this is exactly how I felt.
" Now can someone read verses 39-41?"
Just like that I felt the same pressing on my heart from yesterday morning. Almost robotically I lifted my hand to read.
             " Joshua," Pastor Walt says with a nod.
As  I read the words aloud I felt something move in my spirit.
              " Any thoughts?"
              " Jesus was there all along," someone spoke.
              " Exactly," Pastor Walt exclaimed,  "Jesus was there all along and he was right there when His disciples called on Him and the storm was calmed. So, whatever situation you're in, God can calm it. Whether by giving you peace and strength to endure your hardships or by stopping your situation all together. All you have to do is call on Jesus name. Tell Him your situation and let Him handle it. It doesn't matter how big or small. It can be as small as asking God to help you study to pass a test,  helping you with a speech, or guiding you in normal conversation. It can be as big as helping you deal with family issues, like a passing in the family, divorce. If you been hurt or someone else has.  Just give it to God, know that you are not alone, and that God is already working on it because He is a proactive God," Pastor Walt says concluding His mini sermon.
The words he spoke resonating in my soul, sticking with me throughout the whole service.
       " Anything anyone wants to add." No one spoke. "Alright, any prayer request before we pray and break away?" Only a few raised their hands to give request, one of them being about Jack. This time, however, I did not get mad when I heard his name mentioned. A different feeling weaved it way through my spirit.This time I felt that God was with us, that he was there.