This summer I took about 29 youth to Falls Creek Camp. The theme of the week was simply – Graze. “Graze” is taken from John 10:27 which says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” We were reminded that we truly are like sheep in desperate need of a shepherd. We were reminded that what we needed to do more than anything else was simply “graze” on what the shepherd was offering. The week was awesome - The music melodious, the preaching powerful, the food flavorful and the activities amusing, but on Thursday night I witnessed an event that surpassed it all. It is etched in my memory and will not soon be forgotten.I was teaching the nightly devotion which is a recap of the day’s events and a final reflection of what God was doing in the lives of the youth. All week I had sensed the Spirit moving, but had watched many of our youth turn a deaf ear. By Thursday night I had grown frustrated, and if I’m honest, a little bit angry. I even told the youth as much. I told them that I could practically hear God banging on the door of their hearts, but it was plain to see that some of them just weren’t listening. I said, “If it were up to me, I’d pick you up, throw you over my shoulder, and carry your rears to the cross. But I can’t, because that’s just not how God works. He doesn’t force Himself on anyone. Instead, He simply stands at the door and knocks. He waits patiently while we wander aimlessly. He tells us that He can help, we only need to let Him in. Tonight, I’m convinced God is knocking on hearts. The question I have for you is will you let Him in? Will you listen to what Jesus is trying to tell you?” But midway through my sermon, the power went out, not just for our cabin, but for the entire county. It was dark, and it was quiet. Normally, there would be a little free time following the devotion, but since the lights were out there really wasn’t a whole lot to see or do. So I challenged them to sing our closing praise songs with open hearts and open minds. I asked them to listen for the voice of God, to sense the Spirit’s stirring in their hearts, and to take action. To simply say to the Good Shepherd, “I am your sheep, I hear your voice and I am willing to go wherever you lead.” Asking the praise team to come and sing, I bowed my head and began to pray. I thought the night would end with a few songs and some feigned reflection, but boy was I ever wrong.
Within only a few seconds, I heard sobs and looked up to see tears flowing down cheeks. In His timing, God was moving and hearts were breaking. Teenagers were falling on their faces, repenting of their ways before a Holy God. Then I noticed him, a young man who came to camp at the invitation of a friend. He wasn’t a member of the church and I was unsure of his spiritual condition, but up to this point he had been shy, quiet, withdrawn and often appeared somewhat downtrodden. He was looking around with a look of confusion as if to say, “What the devil is going on? These people must be possessed.” In a sense they were, not by some demonic presence, but rather by the Spirit of God. I closed my eyes and continued to pray while the praise team sang on. As that song came to an end, I looked up to see the same young man praying and now even weeping. I approached him and asked if he wanted to talk. His eyes answered NO before his mouth could move. His body language screamed out in terror. I asked if I could pray for him and he timidly shook his head yes. I placed my hand on his shoulder and lifted this young man up to the Throne of Grace. Finally, after spending over an hour in darkness, the power was restored.
I spoke again for a few more minutes, acknowledging what God was so evidently doing in the hearts and lives of us all. Then I invited everyone to sing one final song of praise to our Great God. With tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, the youth raised their voices in praise. As we sang, I looked around the room observing and taking in all that the Lord had done. Then my eyes met his and I wondered if I was seeing things. The young man that I had prayed for was now different, visibly. Something had changed, and changed dramatically. In the place where the quiet boy with the downcast face, and the withdrawn manner stood, now stood someone transformed - someone who was making a joyful noise, someone whose countenance was lifted up, someone whose face shone.
In Exodus chapter 34, we’re told the story of Moses going up on Mount Sinai. He’s there to get the Ten Commandments, but more importantly and often overlooked, he’s there to spend time with God. He’s there’s to be a sponge, to soak up every last drop of what the God of the Universe pours into him. The text tells us that Moses is on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights and the result is nothing short of miraculous. When he comes down, the Bible says his face “shone.” The Bible says that God is light and Moses’ face testified to it. This young man had only spent an hour in the presence of a Holy God, but the results were evident. I remember wondering if anyone else was seeing what I was seeing. Then as if on cue, one of the youth leaders looked at me, his own eyes wide in disbelief, and said, “Do you see that? He’s glowing.” I smiled and thought to myself if that is what happens in just a single hour being face to face with the Light of the World, it’s no wonder that after 40 days and 40 nights that Moses had to wear a veil.
Remembering that night, I’m forced to examine my own life. I wonder what my face looks like? Does it reflect the light of His glory? Do those I come in contact with wonder at the radiance? Or has the glow faded? What about you? Does your “light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven?” May we never forget that we are but a reflection of Him, that only by His grace and time spent basking in His presence, are we recharged. So go, spend time with Him, absorbing every last bit of light that you can possibly contain. And shine.
