I started off the new year the best way I knew how: going to Passion in Atlanta. For those of you who don't know, Passion is a conference for 18-25 year olds and their leaders... but here's what their website says: "While we host large gatherings, Passion is more than a conference. More than an event. More than a feeling. Passion is you and me saying goodbye to lesser things and saying yes to the Jesus, the One whose name is above every name." Before attending, I talked to a few people who had been before, so I kind of knew what would go on and what to expect--but I had no clue it would change my life.
I could go on and tell you what we did each day--community groups, worship, main sessions listening to Louie Giglio and Francis Chan speak, etc. It's easy to put into words what physically happened. What isn't easy, though, is to explain what went on spiritually. It's hard to put into words how Passion made me feel.
One thing I told my mom was that listening to 20,000 college kids sing "It Is Well With My Soul" was as close as you could get to a preview of what Heaven is going to be like. I was in awe. We weren't just singing. We were praising. Hands were lifted, eyes were closed, and some eyes were even teary. It wasn't just singing. It was shouts and praises of joy. God filled Phillips Arena. Whether you're a believer or not, you couldn't deny something spiritual was going on in that place.
I'm trying to keep the words at a minimum since we've gotten to a point where we're impatient and can't read things over a few pages long. (Francis Chan spoke on distractions, but I won't touch on that right now.) But I will say, we are the Jesus Generation. There's no denying that. Passion was such an amazing, humbling experience, and I'll definitely be going back in the future.
I could go on and tell you what we did each day--community groups, worship, main sessions listening to Louie Giglio and Francis Chan speak, etc. It's easy to put into words what physically happened. What isn't easy, though, is to explain what went on spiritually. It's hard to put into words how Passion made me feel.
One thing I told my mom was that listening to 20,000 college kids sing "It Is Well With My Soul" was as close as you could get to a preview of what Heaven is going to be like. I was in awe. We weren't just singing. We were praising. Hands were lifted, eyes were closed, and some eyes were even teary. It wasn't just singing. It was shouts and praises of joy. God filled Phillips Arena. Whether you're a believer or not, you couldn't deny something spiritual was going on in that place.
I'm trying to keep the words at a minimum since we've gotten to a point where we're impatient and can't read things over a few pages long. (Francis Chan spoke on distractions, but I won't touch on that right now.) But I will say, we are the Jesus Generation. There's no denying that. Passion was such an amazing, humbling experience, and I'll definitely be going back in the future.