Fruit of the Spirit Part 2

Last weekend I went to an event that is the MAJOR turning point in my relationship with Jesus Christ.  The name of it was ADORE.  The main focus of this youth conference was to recognize the pure adoration we should have towards our God and the love we need to return back to him.  I had never been in a place with so much love and potential among teens in my life!

On the way there (the 10 hour van ride to Bethlehem, PA) I am going to admit that I had my doubts.  Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to see God move me and so many others not just in my youth group, but kids that were coming to the conference that weekend.  Inside I just felt like I was kinda on a loose chain with God and didn't deserve to be exposed to His glory and power for an entire weekend.  I felt so insignificant.  Just think about it: We serve an all powerful, perfect, and righteous being.  So why did I  deserve His grace and forgiveness? The truth is, I didn't.  I felt like I had done nothing in my life to glorify God and make a difference.

That night I got the privilege to see my best friend give up her life to Jesus Christ and serve Him.  It overwhelmed me to the point of tears and at that moment I knew God's presence was in that place.  Actually, He had been there the whole time and I was just too stupid to realize it.  One kid who was about 16 stood up and talked about how he wanted our generation to make a difference in a world of lust, lies, violence, and pain.  He wanted us to be the generation that tore down the walls and are prepared to be warriors for God to make him proud and shut the devil up.  I couldn't have agreed more with what he said.  This world is going into worse and worse condition, and we need to have the strength and faith to know that we can touch people's hearts and conquer any battle through God as our shield. 

Now about love and joy, the last hour of Adore was dedicated to prayer over people in the building.  There were so many other amazing things that happened, but I wanted to focus on this.  As we prayed and just lifted our hands to God to praise Him and thank Him for our dysfunctional families, I realized something.  I loved EVERY single person in that room.  Even though I only knew 7% of them, I loved them all to death.  They were all my brothers and sisters and I realized that God had brought us together for the same cause, even if we lived hundreds of miles away from each other.  The love I felt, however, would not have been possible if it wasn't for the neverending love that Jesus has shown me all my life.  Same with the joy that came when I realized my love for these kids.  Love and joy surpass any feeling a human being can have for 2 main reasons.
1) God radiates a love so great and so deep that we can't help but want to drown in it.
2)When we drown in that love, it brings us joy.
Bitterness can't make you happy. Regret doesn't cheer you up.  Hatred doesnt make you want to sing a happy tune.  It's the love that you give out to people. But the more you give out, the more you will receive from your heavenly father.  Seek His joy and you will be blessed beyond comprehension.

Psalm 97:11-12 - "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."

To those of you still reading, thank you for the support. I love every single one of you. And thats the truth :)