“I see a generation rising up to take their place with selfless faith
I see a near revival stirring as we pray and seek, we’re on our knees…”
-Brooke Fraser
What a week it has been!
I moved back to Anderson from Nashville for my Senior year at Anderson University which starts TOMORROW – I can’t believe that this is (most likely) my last year of school ever! The week was bookended with a student leadership retreat last weekend and new student orientation this weekend – I was grateful to have been a lead-worshipper (worship leader) for both weekends. The student leader retreat was inspiring – to have so many students who are taking a stand to make a difference on our campus as a leader praising God and declaring promises over our campus and over this year through song – I began to feel then that God was stirring something new on our campus this year – as I have spoken to a few other upperclassmen, they have experienced some of the same sentiment – a verse that God has laid on many of our hearts for this year is Habakkuk 1:5
“Look among the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told.”
And at the new student orientation yesterday and this morning – the Spirit was so present during our communal expression of worship – it was life-giving to see this new class of Freshman pouring their hearts out to God – and again, I could not help but sense that He was stirring something new on our campus, and probably through these new students. This morning as we sang ‘Hosanna,’ the second verse stood out so clearly – “I see a generation rising up to take their place…” That is what I am sensing.
And that very verse from Habakkuk and words from Hosanna have been the same undercurrent of my thoughts as I anticipate Revolve this year (which starts in less than 2 weeks!!)
Truthfully, I have never been able to say this whole-heartedly before – but I believe that God is stirring a revival in our generation – in college kids and in teens – I believe we are beginning to catch His vision for His church, and it is stirring in us…
“When God wants to initiate a new movement in history, he does not intervene directly, but sends us dreams and visions that can, if attended to, initiate the process.”
-Walter Wink
He is calling our generation, and the generation of teens around the country and around the world, to attend to the dreams and visions He is sending – He is calling forth a new movement, and it will begin with us – to not simply accept the ‘norms’ and what has been – but to stand up and make a difference.
For you Revolve girls – I know that you really, truly get it! I know that you are wanting to be a part of something bigger than yourselves, bigger than the drama – you sense it – and I believe He is wanting to “do something in [our] days that [we] would not believe, even if [we] were told.” Maybe it is bringing love into our schools – sitting with the lonely at lunch, making friends outside of our little clique – that alone can change this nation!! – or maybe it is changing a child’s life by sponsoring them through World Vision or a similar organization – maybe it is helping save a woman’s life who is dying of HIV/AIDS for another day by purchasing a T.A.P.P necklace – maybe it’s dreaming as big as Austin Gutwein who started Hoops of Hope – maybe it’s starting a Bible Study – maybe it’s getting together with a group of students a few minutes before school starts to pray over the school – maybe it’s something that has never been done before – maybe it’s something that only YOU can dream and call to action – THERE ARE NO LIMITS!!
As I dream of where He is calling me to be a change and how I can rise up to take my place, I feel Him sometimes saying to me “Why not?” Why not do that thing that has never been done – why not dream deeper than before – why not? As long as we are truly seeking His face and His heart for our generation – as long as we are in His Word and praying to know what is the right idea with which to run – I trust that He won’t let us go too far astray – but “why not” do that which that He is calling forth in us?
Let’s be a generation who will rise up and take our place – in His kingdom – for His people – for His glory. Are you with me?
What is He stirring in you??
jenn crider 