Signs And Wonders

Challenge and opportunity

Every opportunity that you step in to, every door that is opened, there will be challenge, every time you grow, there will be something that squeezes you, to fortify you.

As a young Christian, like maybe seven months in, I was learning to really trust in God, to see that no matter the situation, that He was always there. Just like my pastors had said. And so, I kept with God.

That's when opportunity came. To be a real part of something amazing.

One event, thatwould change the course of my Christian life completely.

Light It Up 2016. The first of our church events that I ever got involved with. I sat in on meetings, hearing the planning, and the praying. I was captivated by the dedication to seeking the lost that our church was going through. I wanted that same passion for the hurting and the broken.

However, sure as I was growing into opportunity, so did challenges come.

My Dad, was offered the chance to be transferred to a remote town as part of his work. And he was excited, wanting to bring my brother, myself and my sister's with him.

I liked the udea, but I was stuck. If I moved, all these amazing people, the friends I had made, the family I was a part of, I would lose them. But I didn't want to give up on my Dad.

Opportunity came, and so did challenge.

The opportunity to minister was so present, and so I knew that I would need to focus on prayer and fasting. But the idea that I may not be wear I am loomed over me, with the thoughts that I would no longer be friends with the people I've grown to love. The idea that moving would be the end of my spiritual life.

But God has more. This constant thinking of what might happen, caused anxiety, and I internalized it. I bottled it up, letting it fester like a wound. I would have panic attacks, I would cry. I didn't want to lose everything I had worked to build. I wanted to remain with the people, who helped me, when I had no one else.

The same people, who encouraged me, and kept pushing me to do better. My best friends. I was scared, anxious that I would be exactly like I was before them.

But I also didn't want to hurt my Dad. How would I tell him that I wanted to stay in Sydney.

How could I hurt my Dad, when he spent so much time, loving my brother, my sister's, and myself.

And so, as Light It Up approached, we had practice nights. But I needed space, I needed time to myself to really process this situation.

And so I went for a walk, to the local 7/eleven. Picked up a few cans of energy drink, and walked back. It's funny to calm down, I drank caffeine. But It was while I was sitting outside, lonely and anxious, that God came through.

One of the leaders came out, also buzzing from the amount of caffeine he'd had and he saw me, and the question, "are you okay?" Was asked.

This is such an important question. If you are around a friend, who is not being themselves, who seems distant or out of it, approach them, ask them, if they are okay. Showing you care, can save them from those dark thoughts, from the pain, from isolation. If I had to urge one thing, ask someone, if they are okay. Don't wait, because you never know what is going through their mind.

And so I answered him. "No." I was confused and worried, but he told me that no matter what, no matter how far, that the love of God would never leave me. That no matter what, he will never forget me, forsake me or leave me. That, the same love they have in them, is in me, and that, they would never leave me, no matter how far I am.

It was through his words, that I felt the love of God that night. A reminder, that no matter what, I am LOVED. You are loved.

He died on the cross because He loves you. And you are worth that price. And so, I went back in. Worshipping and preparing for Light It Up. Praying, being in joy. The Lord is so good.

He took my pain and turned it into joy, through the love of my brothers and sisters.

And so, up came Light It Up. After months of preparation, the day was finally here, up early and preparing for the blessings that were coming. I just knew, that Jesus, was going to transform the people of Western Sydney.

I get there, early, to help set up and prepare, moving food, drinks, tables, speakers, whatever I was told to move. I moved.

I helped my Mum set up her art set, in front of the venue for those around, and we all got prepared.

I was assigned to games, I was supposed to greet people and to break the I've with games, between the games, and the challenges, people all got interested in the cup stacking. Who could be the fastest.

I felt peace all throughout that day. Like the Lord was confirming the miracles about to happen.

And so the night rally started, I was outside with the others to help with any late comers. And I sat with a guy named Steve. For hours we discussed things, but in my heart. There was a burn. A pull, to be in that room.  So I followed. I got up, and stepped in.

When you follow the Word of God, and where He guides you. Miracles happen, change comes. So I followed, our speaker was finishing her message. We were encouraged to come and worship, and pray.

That's when it happened. The first sudden pull towards praying for someone. The first time I felt God say, 'pray for this person.' So I did  I walked up and prayed for him, he felt the love of God, and he began to worship on his own.

I scanned the room once more, and bang. Right in the centre. Like light was highlighting this guy. I could see that he felt trapped, stuck behind a wall, and the Lord put the words, "Freedom and breakthrough" in my heart.

So I walked over. Awkwardly approaching this guy, and I told him what God told me, and asked him if I could pray.

He told me that was exactly what he needed to hear. And we prayed. It was so powerful, and so amazing, because I felt God move in that place, in the hurting place, God moved.

And there I was worrying about the future. But God, had more for me.

And He has more for you. More than the hurt, more than the pain, then the circumstance, then the situation, then the poverty, then the sickness, then the depression, then the anxiety. GOD HAS MORE.

YOU ARE SO COSMICALLY LOVED, BY THE KING OF KINGS, ABBA FATHER, OMNIPOTENT CREATOR. YOUR SITUATION HAS NOTHING ON THE LOVE OF GOD.