October 19, 2008

All

When I think back on all of the amazing memories I have of my trip to Seoul, it is so hard to hammer out a list of favorites. I met so many truly amazing people, people that I want to know for the rest of my life. I saw so many things that made me say "whoa!" and take out my camera as quickly as possible. I experienced life in a whole new way that week, and I am so glad that I did. Teaching in the schools was incredible, as previously stated, and I want to do that again so badly. But really, while the competition is stiff for what moments are my favorite memories, there is absolutely no contest as far as my very favorite moment is concerned.

To properly set the moment up, however, I'll need to give you a little background. The night before we left for Seoul, October 2, Mark and I went to a Jars of Clay/Switchfoot/Third Day concert. After we got back home that night, I opened up my Bible to Isaiah like I had been doing for the 51 nights previously. I asked God to show me something that I could cling to on this trip, which I anticipated would be great, but I was still afraid of. He did not let me down. I got to verse 7 of the chapter I was reading, 52, where God says "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." I was so excited to read this verse because it is God's way of saying that he is God of us all.

Fast forward now to Friday, October 10. I am standing in the 1988 Olympic gymnastics stadium in Seoul, attending the Passion World Tour. I am surrounded by thousands of Koreans singing "How Great is Our God" with Chris Tomlin in Korean. Then it hit me. God is God of us all. What had previously been a powerful verse that I understood just became a powerful verse that I was living. How incredible. I was in that state where I just stood back and took it all in. The best part of it all is that the feeling of how we all are God's will never get less intense for me. After that moment, I truly understand that all nations are equally God's. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from; God unites us all.

There were so many amazing things that happened at Passion, so many times of prayer where the volume of prayers going up to God was nearly deafening, times when Koreans prayed for the people of Tokyo, that I just can't get over. I will never be the same after this trip. I challenge you to find something that will leave you changed forever. Trust me. It's worth it.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Speaking of loud, don't forget Robert Randolf and the Family Band!! Weren't they awesome?!?!