Your invited to the party

I’ve had some amazing experiences here on the world race lately! One of them being a worship session my squad had one night. We were singing worship songs at our hostel together when it was decided that we should go out into the streets in the city and sing there for everyone to hear. I’d like to say I was excited but honestly there was some reservation in me. It seemed crazy to just go out into the middle of a city in a foreign country and sing to Jesus….would people even understand what we were singing? Would they think we were crazy or possibly even drunk?? 

But hey, how many times does the Lord show up in the Bible when something seems totally crazy. So armed with instruments, voices, and hearts ready to praise the Lord, my squad of about 50 people flooded the streets of Durrës with worship. We sang and danced so much that night that some of us lost our voices. Let me tell you the Lord showed up! People from the community started coming to us and asking what we were doing. The gospel was being shared left and right! People were dancing with us! Kids were running around and some of us were playing tag with them. There were tears, smiles, laugher. I think it’s the most heaven I’ve ever seen on earth. 

Another amazing experience I’ve had recently has been doing ministry here in South Africa. Most days we get to go into these villages, walk around, and visit people’s homes. The people are so kind and invite us right in. I’ve been moved and challenged by their hospitality. Sometimes we help people with their laundry, sometimes we just sit and talk over a soda, and we always pray. We get to give some people Bibles and talk about verses in those Bibles with them. I got to pray a salvation prayer with a beautiful mother a few days ago who was so moved by the word of God. It was such an honor. 

(So this may seem completely unrelated but I promise it all ties together in my mind.) I had this dream a while back and it’s really been occupying my brain space. In my dream I was with Jesus. We were in an extravagant room that looked like it was taken right out of Cinderella’s castle. There was a huge table and as far as my eyes could see there were empty seats with plates set at them. I was so happy just chilling with Jesus and at some point He asked me “would you like to invite your friends to this party?” And I, like an excited kid replied “can I really!?” 

That’s where the dream ended. I can’t help but imagine though ~ what if this were a reality? What if every person I got to share the gospel with or encourage the faith of (and vice versa) comes to the party. What if right here, right now in my time on earth, I’m partnering with the Lord in handing out invitations? Obviously I don’t have the power to save anyone or bring them to heaven but I do think I’ve been blessed to have opportunities to point people towards accepting the Lords invitation. 

I pray that the people I’ve encountered on this trip I haven’t seen for the last time. I pray that the Lord has a hold of their heart and I’ll get to see them again in heaven one day. I pray that all of my friends and family have a deep, intimate relationship with the Lord. I guess I just really wanted to say to everyone reading this; your invited and I hope I see you at the party.