ia, A definite
throw-back to the 70’s
. Byron Bay is a hotspot for tourists and backpackers. This place has young adults in mind. The bars are filled morning, noon and night. A place where people seem to come to distance themselves from their “baggage”. The occult and Universalism are very prevalent. We came to share a story with the people of Byron. A story of LOVE. A story of PEACE. A story of JOY. A story of FREEDOM.
In order to share this story with Byron Bay we first needed to build relationships with the people. Relationships that grant us an doorway to understanding them. Understanding their alcoholism, their homelessness, their universal thoughts, their attitudes and attributes. An understanding that God, who created us, also created them in His beautiful image. An understanding that teaches us that are no better a person then them, but through God’s grace we are truly blessed.
On February 9th the team started our 24 hours of prayer and evangelism. We started at a rocky outcrop on the beach. I had a feeling that this was not the place we were supposed to be for these 24 hours. The ocean cast waves of calmness and passiveness, as the sky was barely holding back forces of rain, making it hard to draw focus to God. After prayerful consideration by the group we moved down the road to a park. Many travellers pass by this park, as the bus stop is meters away. Many homeless and young adults congregate here, for a social drinking session once they are kicked out of a bar. What an AMAZING place to pray and share testimonies.
At about 2:30am as I sat praying on a wooden step. I asked God to show me what He feels for the people we were sharing with. I spent what felt like fifteen minutes repeating that prayer. Then from inside of me, my heart was torn, my soul was crying out, and my stomach was sick. I needed to get away from the park, because the feelings were so overwhelming. By God’s grace some girls on the team needed some coffee. I went with them as protection, just in case. As we walked I could not shake the feelings I was experiencing in the park. Everywhere I looked I would experience the same emotions and pains I had felt in that park. God was showing me how much it hurts Him when we choose to head down the wrong path, or stray away from His leading.
God loves us so much it breaks His heart to see when one of His children shy away from the potential and plan He created us for. Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord cries out for each and everyone of us. The Bible says that “God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish…” God didn’t have to love us. He chose to. Much like we must choose to love Him. It is a choice that cost God His son. John 3:16
I believe I was feeling sick because God was providing me understanding about how He hates, as we should hate sin. We should not find ourselves looking for fulfillment in sinful acts. But we should find fulfillment in God.
Heartbreak and Healing continued…
