It was about my 5th conference of 2016. I knew the routine. A chunk of time for worship, an icebreaker for laughs, an opportunity to get to know my neighbor and then on to a message. I am usually in auto-pilot.
This past weekend was different.
I was attending a conference called Pink Impact here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. So many great speakers, great worship and a sea of over 9,000 women together. We were well in to day two of the conference when my heart began to shift. Kari Jobe, who led us in worship earlier that day, began to speak openly about a recent tragedy her family had endured. It was a time of asking God the tough questions of ‘why us’ and ‘how could this happen?’ It was real. It was raw. It was honest. It was something I wasn’t expecting. The room was filled with emotion and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We all could relate.
And then . . .
In the middle of this raw moment, a woman in the audience became ill and collapsed. Those beside her jumped up with arms waving feverishly for anyone’s attention and signaling for paramedics to be called. This was not in the balcony, not in the back of the auditorium, not off to the side, but dead center in the middle of floor seating. An area of the floor that was still accessible to an overhead spotlight. It took many of us a moment to adjust. To realize this wasn’t part of the agenda. Was this for real?
Paramedics were on their way.
But in the meantime . . .
The auditorium erupted with voices of women fervently praying. It wasn’t the silent, under-your-breath prayer that we tend to resort to. It was audible, it was audacious, it was loud. In between prayers, we sang in worship. All while paramedics where aiding in rescue.
This wasn’t on the program. It wasn’t even penciled in during a last minute meeting. It shook me out of my slumber state. Auto-pilot disengaged. I fought back hiccups of tears during the rest of the gathering. I left that building feeling God still ever close. I drove home in silence. Ears ringing, His presence still near. Once I made it home, I collapsed on to my bed littered in laundry and just laid there. Sinking further in to what the Holy Spirit always offers – His Presence. If I just welcome it. I dared not ask Him for anything, although I knew He wouldn’t mind. I wanted this feeling to last forever. Safety. Reassurance. An overwhelming sense of peace.
He wants that for each of His children. To wake up out of our slumber and routine and to see Him, to spend time with Him, to just bask in His presence. If we disengage auto-pilot and welcome Him in.
Kari sang a song that day that I wanted to share with you. It’s called Pieces by Bethel Worship. The words depict so perfectly the heart of our Father. (The music video is pretty epic as well.) 🙂
Until next time,
Nicole
Unreserved, unrestrained
Your love is wild, Your love is wild for me
It isn’t shy, It’s unashamed
Your love is proud, to be seen with me
//
You don’t give Your heart in pieces
You don’t hide Yourself to tease us
//
Uncontrolled, uncontained
Your love is a fire, burning bright for me
It’s not just a spark, it’s not just a flame,
Your love is a light, that all the world will see
//
Your love’s not fractured
It’s not a troubled mind
It isn’t anxious
It’s not the restless kind
Your love’s not passive
It’s never disengaged
It’s always present
It hangs on every word You say
Love keeps its promises
It keeps its word
It honors what’s sacred
‘Cause its vows are good
Your love’s not broken
It’s not insecure
Your love’s not selfish
Your love is pure
//
You don’t give Your heart in pieces
You don’t hide Yourself to tease us
