Watching Ministry Happen

I’m not saying I wasn’t looking forward to it, but at the time, it was a calendar item that I just wanted to cross off and get done.  I knew that I would be spending three hours on a Saturday evening with hundreds of teenage girls.  At this point in my life, it’s not my calling to hang with this demographic.  But the tickets were purchased, and it was time to buck up and face the evening ahead.

Contemporary Christian artist, Britt Nicole, was in concert for one evening at a local church, and my almost teen girls couldn’t wait to go.

I consider myself to be pretty up-to-date with music.  I knew some of Britt’s music, but I didn’t know a thing about Britt—the person.  I’m beyond impressed.

The concert began.  And so did the screaming.  It was the part I dreaded, or so I thought.  But then, I could sit no longer.  I had to be apart of this.  God was in the house, and I didn’t want to miss a second of His presence.

As all concerts go, Britt soon led us into a quieter portion of music.  She shared pieces of her life, her story.  She looked at the beautiful young ladies beneath the stage that waved their hands in hopes to touch hers.  She spoke amazing words into their lives.  I cried.  My daughters were up there.  In that sea of teenage girls.  Hearing that their life matters.  That their Creator knows their dreams and wants to fulfill them.

Then I noticed something.  Sometimes God’s messages can only be sung.  The band played.  And Britt sang words like Freedom and Surrender over and over in a beautiful melody.  A couple of times she stopped singing, put down her microphone, and joined the crowd below the stage.  What was she doing?  I tried to see.  Oh my, she’s praying with those sweet girls.  Then, before long, she would be back on the stage belting out another powerful tune.

I knew what was happening.  The Spirit of God was leading this concert. Every word she spoke. Every song she sang.  None of it was her.  She completely surrendered, and let the Spirit lead.  I’m certain she had a printed order of service to follow.  Every artist does.  The band needs to know cues.  The sound and lighting techs need to know what’s next.  But I doubt the agenda was followed last night.  God had other plans.  And He found the vessel in which to deliver His message.

Every moment of that concert ministered to my soul.  I walked out inspired to listen to the Spirit of God better.  More.  It’s vital I do this.  It’s important my daughters see this modeled to them.  And it’s fairly easy.  The Spirit of God lives in me.  He lives in all of us who choose to follow God.  It’s a wonderful gift really.

But to not open that gift.  To not tap into its power.  To not engage. To just ignore it.  Well, it’s not how gifts form the Father should be treated.

This morning Britt Nicole is not the hero in the eyes of Maddie and Izzy.  God is.  She did what she was called to do.   And my girls got it.  They saw the Spirit of God in a beautiful, young, musician.  Their lives will not be same.  And neither will mine.

All this time

From the first tear cried

‘Til today’s sunrise

And every single moment between

You were there

You were always there

It was You and I

You’ve been walking with me all this time

~Britt Nicole