Battlecry!

Going to Battlecry at the Nissan Pavilion last night was incredible. The evening began with worship by Unhindered, which was great. But I admit I wasn't really into it at first. I wanted to be; I was eager to worship and be swept away in God's presence. But I hadn't detached from the stuff of the day yet, and was distracted by getting everyone settled in, meeting some new kids, all the people coming and going around us, etc. After the music they presented a multi-media drama from inside the mind of a student trying to figure out why he feels empty and how Jesus wants to transform him. Very creative stuff and I enjoyed it, though it got a bit cerebral and ran a bit long at times.

But then came the challenge. The message was simple and pure and compelling: Jesus loves us and calls us to totally walk away from the stuff of life and live passionately for him. An opportunity was given for students to respond; with everyone in the auditorium being quiet (no cheering or clapping or whatever), students who were ready to totally surrender their lives to God's love were invited to stand up wherever they were and shout as loud as they could, "I want the cross!" Then everything grew quiet. Suddenly one guy's voice rang out from the side of the amphitheater as he shouted his decision. Then came another, and another, and another. Before long there were hundreds of students standing and shouting, announcing their new faith and commitment to Christ. There, under the sky on a warm Virginia evening, I watched the spiritual rebirth of hundreds of people in a bold, powerful way. I wept.

Students were invited to come to the front, kneel, and spend a pretty lengthy time in prayer. It was beautiful. Then they said that the angels in heaven were celebrating, so we ought to be celebrating too. It was time for a party. And to help us celebrate were some special guests: Casting Crowns! What followed was an absolutely awesome time of worship. And finally I felt totally swept away in the presence of God with some great songs: Lifesong, Who Am I, What If His People Prayed, and a new one about our sin being as far as the east is from the west. But the one that really got to me was Praise You In This Storm, and the words echoed in my head and heart all night and into this morning:

I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again I say amen, and it's still raining. As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you." And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand. You never left my side. And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again. My strength is almost gone; how can I carry on if I can't find You? And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you." And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away. And I'll praise you in this storm...

There are a lot of teens waking up to a brand new life today. And the Battlecry has just begun.