Freedom

This past week I was caught up in part of a movement.  It is one that I first joined in college.  After celebrating the arrival of a new year in 1998, I spent a few days at a conference called Passion in Austin, TX.  The only two things I really remember from the event was how awed I was at John Piper (only because I had heard he was really deep) and getting to lead a family group that was strangely forced vulnerability.  At some point I signed the declaration.  The 268 Declaration to be exact.  One in which I proclaimed my desire to see God glorified above all else.  At that early age, I had no idea what that meant for my journey.

Since then, I have kept up with the Passion movement over the years and participated as a volunteer as many times as possible.  This year there was something different.  I went into the week with the same attitude that I always have - happy to help out so that the college kids could have the best experience.  I didn't really expect much to happen in my own life.  But as usual when Jesus steps in, my heart was touched by the power of the worship songs and challenged by the message of the spoken Word. 

More than that, something stirred within me as I learned of the injustice that the conference was highlighting.  The leaders of the movement realized years ago that worship was not just gathering thousands of students in one place to sing some songs and hear some exceptional speakers.  Worship is action.  Worship is your entire life.  And that means living out the mission of Christ - to bring hope, rescue, healing, and restoration to those in need.  Thus the Do Something Now campaign was born.  This year the focus was on the millions of people around the world who are living in some type of slavery.  I have known for years about this injustice - forced labor, child exploitation, and sex trafficking.  A dear friend of mine works in Cambodia with young girls who have been rescued.  But I never thought I could do anything about it. 

Last week at Passion 2012, I felt like I was apart of making a difference.  I guess that's why the motto was "Together we are a force for good."  I gave what little money I thought I could and prayed a lot.  Here is what the Lord allowed me to join in.  The goal was $1 million, but that proved to be too small for our group.  College students stood in line to give a donation and others around the world gave online.  The total raised was $3 million!!  Amazing was good will come from it - slavery will be prevented, thousands will be freed, and lives will be restored with the love and peace of the Savior.  To God be the glory!