That they would know

“Did you know your kids are back there worshiping?”, His voice was soft and full of emotion when he spoke to me. He loves them too. His heart wants them to know Jesus just as much as mine does. As I headed down the hall, the door of the youth room was open and I could hear the sound of their voices filling the room…the acoustic guitar created a foundation for their songs to flow from. There were just five of them sitting near the stage, pouring out their hearts from one song to the next. They didn’t even see us slip in and sit with them. We just wanted to be near. Our songs with theirs. 

There’s something incredible about leading young people to Jesus, and something even more amazing about watching them go to Him on their own. As youth leaders we pray and point…never knowing for certain how it will end up. But tonight we saw the fruit of our effort. We saw that while everyone else was doing something else, these five were seeking His presence. A couple of songs and a teaching wasn’t enough for them tonight. They wanted to be closer, they wanted to be with Him. 

Oh how my heart is overwhelmed with joy. As we worshiped, I prayed that He would make known to them just how close He is…just how real He is…just how amazing their lives will be if they keep coming back to this place. Not this church, not this room or this spot on the floor. But rather this place of desire for the things of God. Life will pull at them…knock them down and kick them a time or two. But if they keep coming back they will live a whole different life — full of grace and peace and joy that only comes from really knowing Jesus. 

Oh that they would know Him.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29