You may feel as though you are “coming down the mountain” from Ignite Conference 2023, and are perhaps disheartened and worried about how you’ll continue to keep this spark alive in your heart as you enter back into reality. That’s fair- it’s not easy to share our experience of Christ with our school friends, work colleagues, and sometimes even our family, but let me encourage you to see the opportunity that God places before you in this time.
Rather than thinking that you’re coming down the mountain, remind yourself that God is simply inviting you into a new season. Seasons are different; some prefer Summer over Winter, or Spring over Autumn- but we’ve learnt to adapt and thrive in each one. So, who’s to say we can’t do the same with our faith?
For some of you, this may have been the first Ignite Conference you’ve attended, or the first time you’ve experienced the Holy Spirit moving in your heart. You’re excited and overwhelmed, and don’t really know what to do next to grow deeper in your faith. For others, this may be the 50th Ignite Conference you’ve been to, and perhaps, somewhat pridefully, you just gone back to your norm because you’ve “done it before” and you’ve “got this”.
Alas, God ALWAYS desires to work through you in EVERY season! In every person, in every heart- for the first time, or for the 500th time. He desires you, and he desires your continued openness to Him and your YES for Him to be an active part of your life in every season. No matter where you’re at.
There’s a beautiful phrase in Emmanuel Worships’ song “Everything I Am” that actually can become a powerful prayer in this post conference season right now; a season where we can begin to feel flat and distracted:
“Give me your eyes to see you in every season;
Give me your ears to hear your every voice.”
As you enter this new season, I encourage you to pray these words as a prayer. Invite God to be a part of your everyday, and to nourish a relationship that will become more than just a 3-day conference experience. Be open to what he has in stall for you. And trust that he has not abandoned you in this season- as fun and powerful as Conference is, this season is where he truly works in your life in an intentional and personal way.
As you journey into this new season, wherever you’re at, here’s 3 things to consider:
1. If you are too busy for God, then you are busier than He intended you to be. God doesn’t expect perfection, he expects persistence. He doesn’t expect you to plan your everyday to the T, but He desires for you to plan for time with Him. Make space for him in your everyday, whatever that looks like for you. He can only work in your life more tangibly when you open the door and welcome him in.
2. God may work in ways you do not expect, or understand. You may get promoted in your job, or you may lose hours. You may get into that Summer footy team, or you may miss out this year. You may have tangibly felt the presence of Jesus at a rally at Conference, but struggle to feel anything at all when you try to pray at home. You may feel like something unfair has happened in your life, and are angry and confused. Be patient. Trust his timing. Ask “how can I serve you in THIS moment, this season? Give me eyes to see how you are working through my life right now. How are you trying to speak to me in this time?”
3. It isn’t just about one “moment” between you and God. You aren’t meant to do it alone. In Exodus 17:8-13, verse 12 states “Moses’ hands grew tired… Aaron and Hur supported his hands… so that his hands remained steady until sunset.” A relationship with Christ should be driven by a desire to be constant, steadfast and enduring. But when Moses was alone, he grew tired and weary. So, to remain steady, he sought the help of his brothers. When we humbly seek Christ through the BODY OF CHRIST (our brothers and sisters), this will lead us on the path to a STEADY and ENDURING relationship that will last throughout every season. Seek out likeminded people to support you and keep you accountable to building a relationship with Jesus.
+ Lord,
I desire an ever-deepening relationship with you, no matter what season of life I am in right now.
How can I see, hear and serve you in this season?
How would you like to speak to me? How should I listen?
Open my eyes and ears to hear you now, and in every other season. Help me not to fear change, but view it as an opportunity to grow closer to you in a new and sacred way.
Amen.