Shane & Shane came to The Father's House on the evening of September 29th and approximately 500 people were blessed to spend a memorable time of worship with them. To call what they offered a performance, show, or a concert, would be missing their point entirely. These guys are passionate worshipers, as well as being gifted in vocal harmonies, lyrics, and humor.
My recommendation is for you to see them whenever the opportunity arises and to get their music. You will be blessed!
During a break in the music, one of the Shanes asked how many people had come from out of town and well over half of the crowd raised their hands. I was struck by that percentage and almost immediately by a thought about choosing to be in God's presence.
You see, TFH has six to seven hundred worshippers each Sunday, and the appearance was promoted to the "regulars" for at least a month prior. So first, I was struck (and disappointed) by the number of faces I didn't see of that group. Beyond that, I had given a number of tickets to friends, acquaintances, and listeners of the radio program I take part in. There were a number of those faces missing as well.
So the lesson taught was about choosing to be in the presence of God. All of the preliminary buildup to Shane & Shane's appearance centered on the duo's worshipful attitude and the virtual "guarantee" that God would inhabit the praise of the evening. Nonetheless, many chose not to avail themselves of the opportunity. That saddened me.
It came to me that this was what seemed to be an obvious choice to be in God's presence and many said no, for whatever reason. Our days are filled with many more less obvious choices to come into God's presence OR not to.
Somewhere along the road of life, I had just enough sense to respond to God's love and His pursuit of me that I wanted to be in His presence. And it was GOOD! So the next time choosing to be with Him was easier and it was good again. Through repetition and His faithful goodness, I developed a "habit" of choosing Him. No, I don't always choose righteously, by any stretch of the imagination, but that has become my tendancy. And whenever I choose Him, I am blessed!
Now, here's the rest of the story. Choosing not to be in God's presence is habit-forming as well. With each choice to avoid God it becomes easier to ignore Him, that tendancy is developed and it is not good. Continue to tell God that you want no part of Him and eventually, He will let you have your way...forever. The message...our choices are important!
In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses tells the Israelites, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants...".
Lord our prayer is that more and more, we recognize your presence and accept your invitation to join you there!
See "Yearn" video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRazVIx5ijk
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