God totally rocked my world while I was at Rev5, and He hasn’t stopped since. I was begging for something real and refreshing and free and good and beautiful, and man, God is far better than I ever dared to hope He could be. I didn’t really know or love God before Rev5; after 9 really hard, but really, really good months, I am totally crazy about Yahweh and so glad to be spending my life with Him.
This is how the change happened for me:
- I got to do life with other rockin awesome young Christians.
- On a daily basis, I was listened to, loved and developed by the kind of mentors that you should have to take a number to get to talk to.
- I was pushed far outside of what was comfortable (physically, socially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually… It was pretty much just all around challenging.)
- I was in an environment of worship and prayer and scripture – both corporately and alone. I mean really, isn’t that how you get to know and love God? You start talking and reading and singing and spending your life with Him.
- I spent every day in a life-giving environment where laughter filled the halls; a culture of water fights, loud music and living room dance parties, spontaneous outings and simply loving the people around. What a contrast to the typical culture I had before – staring at a screen all day; living to work and working to get money and getting money to get more stuff. Where before, the bland every day was basically the same busy rushing to get by, at Rev5, I tasted life.
- I spent hours in the classroom listening to the beautiful hearts of wise men and women who have a vision for the people of this big, blue planet.
- I had to answer questions about who I am, who God is, what I am passionate about, what kind of people I want to pour my life into loving, how to overcome, how to be a fighter, what I want this one life of mine to count for…
Before Rev5 I had so much tension inside of me, and I wrestled pretty dang hard with God. One night I made a choice. I prayed: “God, I don’t want to be where I am anymore. I have no idea how to get to where I want to be, but I’ve gotta be with You. I know I’m missing something, cuz my heart is still desperate for more. So, God, take my heart and don’t let go. I will give up anything you ask and do whatever it takes, but God Almighty, I’ve gotta know that I’m yours. I’ve gotta be next to you. I’m weak, and I need help, so don’t let go of me.” Several months later, I was at Rev5 and wrestling with God even more every day, but He didn’t let go of me. He told me over and over that He loves me, and now I really love Him too.
