This week, I stood and watched 29
different times, as people walked down the aisles to accept Jesus
into their hearts. Each time it gave me chills and just made me so
happy, and I was in awe of what God was doing. I saw tears in
people's eyes as they decided to make the most important decision of
their lives. I saw the pure faith of little children, as they ran
down the aisles to Jesus. I can't describe how amazing it was.
As 360, we were helping serve at an
evangelistic drama that Watoto Church was putting on. It is called
Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. There were four shows a day, for
seven days, and the last day an extra one was added because so many
people were still in line, waiting to watch! The drama consists of
multiple skits where people are going about their normal lives, die
unexpectedly, and wake up at heaven's gates. They asked the angel who
is holding the Book of Life, if their name was in the book. If it
wasn't, Satan would come out from hell (one of the corners of the
stage) with his demons, and drag them away. But if it was, Jesus
would come out and welcome them into heaven. It was about an hour and
a half of different scenarios and different kinds of people. At the
end of the show, a song would play and Jesus would come out and
beckon people in the crowd to come. In almost every show, the first
one to go was a child. I was serving up in the balcony, helping direct people down to the front, and one of the shows I had a little
boy come up to me who was probably around 6 or 7. He simply said “I want
to go to Jesus”. He melted my heart, and taught me a lesson. To be
honest, part of me was skeptical of all the kids going up. I was
doubting whether or not they actually understood what was happening,
and wondering if they were just doing it for show, or because others
were doing it. But after seeing this little boy, with so much desire
just to go to Jesus, my mindset changed. It didn't matter if he
didn't totally understand. He had the exact attitude that Jesus
talked about in Luke 18:16-17, “But Jesus called the children to
him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder
them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the
truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little
child will never enter it.'” Jesus wants us to abandon everything
else and just rely completely on Him. He wants us to come to Him like
little children, with pure faith and total trust. I've read this
verse about the little children so many times, but this week I saw it
happening, and it was amazing.
The whole thing was such a celebration!
As ushers, we were cheering and clapping as people made their way to
the front. Every time someone would stand up, the cheering would get
louder. We were just joining in the party that was happening in
heaven. :) I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of this
whole production. I learned a lot, about relying on God for strength
during the long days, and about how our entire purpose on this earth
is to build His kingdom and bring Him glory.
One of the times during the show that
Satan came out on the stage, I was struck by the thought that he
really does everything he does because he hates God. He goes after us
because he knows God loves us. So I reversed it in my mind: if I love
God, I should be going after all the lost souls, because He loves
them. I'm realizing more and more that life is not about me. It is
all about loving God, and I show Him I love Him by obeying His
commands: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
-Matthew 14:15, and He has commanded to make disciples: “Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20.
So I'll leave you with a picture of one of the moments of celebration...during this particular show, the angels on the stage had to move to make room for all the people coming coming up. It was truly breathtaking. God is doing amazing things, all around the world, and I want to be ready for Him to use me in whatever way He wants to.
Thank you all so much for your prayers! Coming up, we have pretty normal weeks: classes, ministry, internships. Please pray that I will let God fill me with His joy and His love for the people all around me. I love you all! May the Lord bless you and keep you.
