Thirsty

Last week I went to Atlanta for Passion’s “Thirsty” conference. Most of you are probably familiar with the Passion college student movement. (or at least the music) Well, Thirsty is a conference for people who work with college students in various ministries and churches. I am not usually very big on conferences, but God used this one to say a few things to me this week. Although there were some “how to” type discussions in the breakout seminars, the main sessions were mostly focused on being spiritual leaders simply by being dilligent in pursuing God in our own personal lives.

Funny thing is, it was a continuation of many things God has been showing me recently, going back to the day I spent alone with God a few weeks ago. In the past year what started out as a well-intentioned desire to reevaluate my career direction slowly became a very discouraging pit of laziness and self-pity. Somewhere along the line I started thinking that the whole thing was about me. But its not. Its about God. And it always has been. So the hard part is this; the question is actually the same, “God what do you want me to do?” but the motivation behind it is what is different. Instead of asking it just for the sake of my own happiness, I want to somehow begin to ask it with no other desire than for the sake of his name and his glory. But I am not there yet. So the journey continues…

First Baptism!

Sunday night Midtown had its first baptism service. I know I probably overuse this word, but it was simply amazing. The service was held outdoors in an amphitheater with the Broad River in the background, which was a fantastic setting. We had our largest attendance ever as families and friends came out to watch and celebrate. Each person’s story was played over the sound system so that the crowd could hear what God had done in their life, then they were baptized by a pastor or someone who had been significant to them coming to know Jesus. The absolute best part though, was as each person came up out of the water, the crowd erupted in cheering and applause! It was a great time of celebration for our baby church family, and my prayer is that it will only be the first and smallest of its kind as God continues to do his work of redeeming and restoring in Columbia.