After each big event at my church, we are encouraged to take a moment to look back and thank God for what we saw happen. My campus Pastor Larry Brey encourages us to write down what we saw Jesus do. He says we should attach a specific memory to an event. There will be times when we are in a low place. God might feel distant. We might be struggling with something. This is natural. By writing down ways God has shown up, we can look back at those and be reminded during the times of trials of how God showed up and that he will continue to. This has helped me so much in the past. Joshua did the same thing in Joshua 4: 4-7 when he told twelve men to collect stones to serve as reminders for future generations.
With that being said, I wanted to take some time to make a pile of stones for Easter 2012. Easter is one of my favorite holidays. You can feel the energy at Elevation in the week leading up to it. Here are the stones I collected this year.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when the entire VIP team prayed with extreme hunger on our knees for our team members families and friends.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when a college students entire family of 6 gave their lives to the Lord.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when we ran out of chairs and the entire auditorium was full.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when Lindsay, the woman sitting next to me, gave her life to Christ and had been attending Elevation University since September.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when a family of 4 came an hour after the worship experience started and all accepted the invitation to start a relationship with the Lord.
This Easter, I saw Jesus while pouring into a volunteer after she realized her commitment to her marriage wasn’t optional.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when 4 eKidz gave their lives to Jesus.
This Easter, I saw Jesus in every smiling face of the volunteers of the Elevation University Campus.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when hundreds of people went to the Next Level tables.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when hundreds of hands shot into the air to profess their faith in Jesus.
I’m so proud to be a part of a Church that presents the Gospel boldly on Easter. I’m so grateful to be a part of a Church that pours into me, stretches me, and makes me the woman God wants me to be. I’ll never forget this Easter.
What stones are you collecting? I challenge you to take the time to write out the ways God is working in your life right now. Make a pile of stones for you to remember!
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
