Wow, tonight was pretty amazing. Not what I was expecting or even really praying for, but God was present and moving more than I have ever really seen amongst this group.
It was the FUEL music team retreat that Brendan had organized to kick-off the year and get the team excited and prepared both musically and spiritually. First Instinct had travelled down from Port Macquarie for the week to play in schools and for our big gig at FUEL Friday Night (which seemed to go off… 60% of people hadn’t been to Fuel before, by some reports). But the band had been asked to stay an extra day and help out the music team by providing some encouragement, training and insight. They did a great job of challenging them to be real worshippers – I loved hearing their perspective, passion and heart for worship that was so needed to really focus the team. They were brilliant. But what happened during tonight’s session I don’t think was planned by anyone, God just took over as we began to worship him. Now that I think of it, honest worship seemed to be the key to opening us up to the spirit.
The session began with everyone getting 15 minutes to write a song, just the words. So everyone went off, many feeling that they weren’t really getting anything, but asking God for inspiration. I came in a few minutes late, but decided to sit down and attempt it to. Surprisingly, as I sat down to think honestly about how I was feeling with God, a Bible verse and then words started coming out.
We all re-gathered and began sharing what we’d written. Some were nothing short of amazing! Alex’s, Dan’s and Spike’s were particularly powerful and creative. Many also spoke of honest wrestles with God. I think that really started to open people up as they became vulnerable with each other. Then we sang a worship song, ‘Your Love Oh Lord’ which led into prayer. After a few people prayed, Aaron began to speak out what God was putting on his heart: that he really saw me as someone who was standing up in a crowd, that God’s really doing something in me, and to stay ‘soft’. Sam also followed with a similar reiteration, that God has his hand on me and that despite not often being in the limelight, I’m to keep going, press on, and share what’s within me. The obedience of those two really kick-started people’s openness and honesty. Brendan then explained their prophetic encouragement and challenged anyone else to share what God might be saying through them. Others then began speaking into each others lives – everyone sharing at least something, if not 5 or 10 things! 2 hours went by as barely any silence was heard. People were deeply touched, some moved to tears and things were honestly expressed. Thanks, appreciation, apology, encouragement, vision and insight.
When we finally brought it to a close (we had to almost force a finish) we sang ‘Consuming Fire’ which just seemed to launch everyone into worship… many standing with hands raised and beginning to worship freely and passionately. Then we prayed for the 4 guys from First Instinct, laying hands on them as a team and thanking God for their work this week.
As we finished, many seemed deeply moved and touched. The Holy Spirit had really been active and doing some great work within our young people. More than I had ever seen before in this setting. But it was like prayer on fire… the kind of thing I’ve been praying for for years, and trying to initiate, but finally tonight as the band were bold enough to initiate, and as Brendan brilliantly gave permission for it, the Spirit did his best work and releasing honesty, humility, vulnerability, courage, insight and deep encouragement into everyone. I don’t think we’ll forget tonight for a while. I just hope something can keep it going within the hearts of the team… that maybe the fire can grow and continue to catch onto others within Fuel and within their individual schools.
Father God continue to pour out your Spirit on your people. On Fuel and the young people that serve and lead, that all might be deeply touched by your love and power; enabled to be your witnesses wherever they go. Give us a holy passion for your name! We love you and praise you with everything we have. Thankyou so much for blessing us undeservedly. Amen.
