Brett Younker (Passion)
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” Exodus 34:6
It’s been said that worship starts with a revelation. God reveals who He is to us and we respond in worship. The Scripture is the definitive source to understanding who God is and what He is like.
It’s when we have a clear vision that we can navigate the uncertainties of life.
Even early on in the story when God’s people were at a crossroads, God revealed Himself to Moses on the mountaintop. In Exodus 34, God says that He is the Lord. He alone is God. There is no one like Him. There is nothing that rivals Him. He alone is the Lord, and in His greatness, He is also a good God. He goes on to tell Moses that He is gracious, kind and compassionate. He is patient and forgiving and out of His goodness He will bring about justice in the world. God was going to take care of Moses and His people.
In my own journey over the last year, there have been setbacks and disappointments. The world feels very uncertain and I found in my worship that I was hungry for a song that was not centered on me and my problems. It almost felt counterintuitive. I know God cares about me and my problems, and I don’t want to minimize and not deal with them, but I feel like I tapped into a greater power by saying to God, “In the midst of it all, You are the Lord. The disappointment or hurt is not the Lord. The unknown is not the Lord. Jesus, You are the Lord.”
I have actually found that when I look up and set my heart and my mind on God, I am transformed into His image. As I behold Him, I become like Him! He is not only changing me, He is also changing my perspective and giving me a renewed sense of hope.
The ultimate act of His power and goodness is revealed to us through the cross and the resurrection. Because Jesus alone has brought us from death to life, He alone is worthy of all our worship in every season. As Jesus followers, I pray our lives in the good and hard times would reflect the greatness of His glory and the goodness of His redemption to the culture around us. I hope we can be strong and shine bright.
From its start in 1995, Passion has been rooted in the confession of Isaiah 26:8 – “Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and Your renown are the desire of our hearts” - existing to glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer and justice for spiritual awakening in this generation. Passion has encountered millions of students and 18-25 year olds, young people whose lives have been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.