And the buzz was ... Jesus

believe is an awesome program to work with. The more I am around this ministry the more I understand how totally awesome junior highers are and the adult leaders/youth ministers that have dedicated their time to be apart of those students lives. There are some pretty rockin' moments at believe from the Rubyz concert and seeing all the kids jump around and get excited...to seeing the worship band lead students into a time of fun celebration and meaningful praise. Seeing kids jump up out of their seats to see Brent the stunt guy do his awesome tricks and watch in awe as Jared the illusionist blows our minds, once again with his crazy tricks. Watching Eric paint and create and use his talents and watch the kids react to that "art" of worship is simply ...awesome. But none of those things are my favorite although they all rank high.

It was a moment that I experienced in Omaha. Standing in the middle of room with 400 students and adult leaders as they broke up into their small groups. This happens on Saturday afternoon and honestly it's a time for the staff at believe to catch up on having some fellowship with each other and trying to get things ready to pack for load out. It's a pretty busy time for us. But something stopped me. I stood in the middle of that room and just began to listen, to observe. Time out: Have you ever been to a great sports game and heard the roar of an amazing crowd. The thunderous sound pumps adrenaline into my veins and makes me so excited! I love listening to a crowd and how about when something really exciting happens and it becomes the single greatest topic to the audience and all "the buzz" throughout the people? Time in: That is what I heard. It was the roar of conversation...and the buzz was Jesus.

I stood there for a second and I heard the voices of students start to open up and talk about what was going on at home, school and with friends. I heard the voices of other students agreeing as they listened to their peers. I heard the voices of the adult leaders as they began to ask more questions and receive more feedback from their students. The topic was Jesus and it was the greatest, most worshipful moment of that weekend for me; to watch those students start to speak up about what was going on in their lives and to seek God in their lives. I got to witness that. What an honor.

I never would have picked this job for myself...ever. I want to write and speak and travel...etc. I made a decision about two years ago that my heart was not prepared for that. If I would have followed and pursued a speaking career for a university or random organization I would have done it because I wanted the glory. I could have...I wanted the attention...I'm good at public speaking...I wanted people to see or hear that. But then I allowed God to take my steps. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our path but the Lord determines our steps." I have begged God to use me...in whatever way He desires and maybe it isn't the way I thought it would be and wanted it to be and perhaps God is giving me the life experience and growth I need. The believe theme for the 2008-2009 tour is "speak" to speak God's words to all those around, to encourage, share and defend. There is probably a lesson in there for me. I got to witness 400 students and adults speak to each other and pray with and for each other and to pray for those that were not with them and it was powerful beyond comprehension. I was called to speak... maybe just in a different way then I ever expected.

"The buzz" was Jesus...and it completely changed my life.