As previously stated, I went with seven awesome women from KAEC (Kingdom Advancement and Empowerment Center) and WCC (Wake Chapel Church). These two ministries have served as instrumental catalysts in my life in two very dynamic ways. To fellowship with women from both ministries was an honoring learning experience.
To learn more about this amazing worship experience, I strongly encourage you to visit His Call Ministries. This is an incredible ministry that paves the way to the heart of God through true worship. The first service was at night, "Worship Under the Stars," where we placed ourselves freely along the banks of the James River in Midlothian, Virginia, and joined with many others in praise and worship. I think we, as believers, often find ourselves a little intimidated by the open air when given the opportunity to dance, sing, flag, cry and express our praise and worship to God outside. We've become so accustomed to walls, chairs, A/C, and building mannerisms that we unknowingly get comfortable, even if we are able to move freely in our respective ministries. This is how I felt. There was some initial awkwardness dealt with as I looked at my small presence in such a vast area of land. Yet, I was like everyone else... a piece of a greater picture that God was listening to and finding pleasure in. It wasn't just the humans who were praising God, but all of the elements- you could see it in the night sky, feel it in the light breeze, and hear it in the foreign sounds of the creatures around us. God made EVERYTHING to glorify Him...
After Friday, when the grave clothes of limited worship and praise fell off of us, we entered into Saturday, attending Morning Glory service. I think this is when I truly fell in LOVE with God and nature (I loved it before, but man... through God's eyes??? Phew). It was almost like my senses went to another dimension... like I was sensing the world as a newborn babe. Wow. As we praised God and declared His glory over the land and in the earth, God responded. Pastor Keith Duncan, who is over this anointed ministry, led us in worship, and as we began to sing about the river of God and His latter rain, the sky opened up with a light curtain of rain. A heavenly shower. Everyone who was there will remember this like nothing before. What was funny about this is that, at one point during the rain and worship, I looked around.
Now... I'm not one to categorize people unless they categorize themselves; even still, it's beyond me. I will say that for all my UNCG and Meredith days, I have seen a separation occur when it rains- the race of those who walk in it like it's a sunny day and those who pull out an umbrella, jacket, book, etc. like the sky is going to fall (I being the latter). However, on this day, the tables had greatly turned. God broke my vision and said, see... my people don't operate in the ways and wills of the world. I thought of this as Godly humor; it definitely made me smile... even if my dancing in the rain did cause frizziness. *smile*
As worship transitioned into impartation, God's glory broke forth through the trees (like He doesn't have perfect timing?? *smile*). After the impartation, Pastor Keith Duncan and his wife gave their interns a time to share with everyone about their 2-month experience with this ministry. All under the age of 23, these four young men and women were so hungry for God and genuinely sincere in their desire to know Him. To be brief, the most powerful thing I heard one young lady say, with tears in her eyes (the youngest of them at age 16), was this: "I want to get to know Jesus here on earth so that when I get to heaven, I might be able to recognize Him." Wow... what if we all were after Him with that much heart on earth and wanted others to share that too? AAAAHHH! :)
After Morning Glory, there was a picnic, boat rides, fishing, fellowship and a tour of the facilities. WCC and KAEC then ended up having Bible Study right there by the river. Time was irrelevant. Our previous hunger for natural food was fed by the Word of God... EVERYone of those ladies can attest to this, literally. Aaaah man.
What does it mean to be free? How much are you able to handle of His amazing Glory? After this weekend... I can't say "I can't worship or praise God because..." It doesn't matter. If the elements can praise Him in all seasons, times and winds, am I not made for the same reason?
Freedom... it is recognizing the natural but moving in the spiritual as do the leaves in the wind of God. Lord...
Just breathe. Breathe.
2 comments:
I get it now after Sunday that it is our worship that ambushes the enemy. WHY because we our minds are on the Father and therefore the word says He will keep us in perfect peace. It's in that peace that the enemy is defeated because we are not moved by the war that the enemy is bringing against us. Worshipers must arise! It is out worship that we tell the Father "all I am and all I will ever be is in you!"
His chosen vessel- Tip
Mrs. Veronica talked about worshiping outside w/ the elements and that 16-yr-old's testimony the first tues. night bible study i got back from DC. I honestly don't even remember what she named the "lesson" but all I remember is realizing that my very own heart was choking out God's planted seed of life. Then I got up at the end and rededicated my life to God
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