Something Different

I could tell you that I fully understand the reason why I am out here for a second time…but I don’t understand.  I could tell you that I’ve figured it all out…but I haven’t.  All I know is that I am here.  I know that the door opened and I simply walked through it in faith that God is doing something different.

 

This time around has been different.  It would be easy for me to come out here hoping for the same spiritual highs and to see God move in the same ways, but that’s not it.  I have come out here not knowing much except for the fact that I want more.  I want more of him in my life.  I want to move how he moves.  I want to breathe his breath.  So I step out in faith to do so.  This time is different, I’m not running from anything, I’m running toward something and I won’t stop…ever.  It doesn’t end with the World Race, it never has.  It really is a matter of submitting myself to be used by him daily.  To listen no matter how loud it becomes around us.  He is constantly preparing my heart for what’s next and I don’t know what it looks like, but I want it.

 

Let me start by saying that Galway is beautiful.  It is situated on the coast of Ireland but there are some stormy gales of wind along with intense rains that come daily.  So far, most people’s tents have stood the test, mine is a bit soaked (perhaps from going through two races).  Our squad is separated into two different groups for the time being.  I have been serving at Abundant Life Church with half of the squad, while Caroline has been at Discovery Church. 

 

There is an overwhelming presence of disenchantment in Ireland.  Through many occurrences, the people here have developed many issues with the church and have moved from postmodernism to something I’ve heard called post-Christianity.  Christianity has become somewhat of a fad, a passing phase.  It’s not that they necessarily find no need for God, but rather no need for the church.  It’s outdated and so is God apparently.  I was saddened to hear the high number of suicides that occur in Ireland along with the alcoholism problems.  What is happening here?  With this kind of depression, can Ireland recover?  Will the church become vibrant once again? 

 

Every night, we have had the opportunity to participate in a prayer service with Abundant Life Church.  Around the sanctuary are different prayer focuses.  The Irish are crying out for their nation.  They are so desperate to see God move through the streets of Galway.  To witness and participate in something like this is overwhelming.  Once we begin praying, the Holy Spirit just falls on the place.  He wants to move here.  As I walked around the room, a verse caught my eye and immediately I knew we were right where God wanted us.  If you’ll remember my post Under the Tent, Acts 4:28-31 became a passage calling out our squad to boldness.  This same passage has spurred on the Christians of Galway to reach their city.  God had already started the process of knitting our hearts as one.  I believe that the Lord is going to do this throughout the entire process.  I ask that he will give us a word for these nations so that our hearts will be prepared before entering.  So that we will simply join what is already happening.  I am asking that the Lord break the hearts of our squad.  It has been a while since I’ve known what it meant to be truly broken for a nation.  I ask that the Lord break ours and your hearts for the U.S. as well.  We must move as he moves.