I had the pleasure and blessing of attending a youth conference this past weekend, Friday night through Saturday afternoon. Student Life held their annual conference at the local church here. Its geared toward students, but I went for the experience and because I knew the youth going from our church. I always hear fantastic things about the way God moves at these conferences and this was no exception. The conference incorporated music, bands and drama all aimed at getting the message out, “Be Last.”
What a great time! I have seen Christian bands play on television and always wondered what it was like to dance and raise hands high in the air in worship to God. I had the opportunity this past weekend to experience that very same thing.
It took me a few sets before I gathered the courage to go down front with the other 100 who had gathered down front, namely youth but I finally did. The band didn’t disappoint as they played music that eventually enticed you to jump up and down, hands high in the air. Like rabbits who go no where, there we were jumping up and down to the music, feeling free and unhindered by the music, by the waves of sound pouring from the speakers. With hands raised high in the air, we were praising God and dancing. The music was so loud at times, the drums pounded in your chest.
I was especially thrilled with dancing because I had not done anything that strenuous since my back surgery a year ago. I have to admit, jumping up and down to music is a work out and after a while your calf muscles are making their own noises, begging you to stop.
The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 says this, “There is time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance….”
Dancing is what we all did as the band played. Worshipping is what we offered God in the form of singing and dancing. Make no mistake, there were a few laughs at some of the talent I witnessed, but I knew deep down that young person was expressing themselves the best way they knew how. In that moment, it was between them and God.
Tomorrow, I’ll share some more of the experience. In the meantime, can you do me a favor? Can you pray for the hundreds of youth that were in attendance?
Thanks.
Jeanette Duby
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