33live

The warriors of 33 Live had a wonderful chance to regain their strength this last Wednesday. As soon as one walked in the sanctuary, a sweet spirit could be sensed. It started even with the faithful few that washed the place with prayer starting at 6:15pm. One walked in to the sound of Delirious gently singing about the hands of kindness that were scarred for us, and simple love and surrender in return. There was a sense of being still, reflecting, and being loved. Some were even moved to their knees, and whether it was in intercession or merely an act of sitting at His feet, it sang of the Spirit-dripping atmosphere. There was a peace that contributed to the ease of the rest of the night.

As students began to file in and take their seats, that peace gave birth to a joy. Within minutes the whole front of the place was filled with youth simply enjoying God, twirling and leaping as they belted: “When the Spirit of the Lord moves upon my heart / I will dance like David danced.” They called the Spirit down, and sang loudly of His overwhelming, jealous, and redeeming love. Like David, the battle-warn group was being called not only to dance, and unashamedly enjoy the presence of God, but also–as Michael Tyrrell recently reminded us is part of King David’s story–to take a moment in the middle of the fray and lay down on the battlefield…to be still and know that He is God.

To give the night the perfect, uplifting ending it required, the meeting concluded with words from a local hero. One of the youth group’s own members, Joseph Gilchrist, skyped the entire group on the big screen all the way from China. Not only did he bring exhortation, but a lot of laughs. We got a tour of his apartment, and got to see him eat oatmeal, sing like a Chinese woman, and even do a little dance. Those that missed him (which is likely the entire crew) were encouraged, and there were many smiles walking out the doors after it all came to an end. lt: