Do you know that feeling following a happy time at table with friends and/or family? That feeling that, as you were laughing and talking and enjoying all the funny stories and catching up stuff? Yeah, that feeling. The groaning realization that you ate too much? The instant regret as you stood up? Well, if you do, you know a bit how we’re feeling at the beginning of Day 4 of our conference. Our brains are saturated with all things superlative, glorious. All things God. Happy, beautiful, overwhelming things.
As I begin to reflect on all that, having had my first cup of coffee this morning, I think of the Scripture in James 4:8: ‘Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.’ So, this feeling, this ultra-lovely fullness, is only as rare as our drawing near to God. It isn’t because we are in Cincinnati. It isn’t because the worship teams are amazing (although they are!). It isn’t because the speakers are eloquent and funny and informative (although they are!). It’s because we, the 1500-2000 of us here have collectively chosen to draw near to God together. It’s His promise. It’s part of His Plan ‘A’. And the even better part, is that we don’t need to wait for this kind of gathering, or any gathering, for that matter. God loves one-on-one meet ups!
And, of course, however big we think God is, is never big enough. His bigness surpasses all descriptions. His glory far exceeds our best efforts at putting into words. And yes, time in His presence lights up all those unused crevices in our brains trying to cope, trying to categorize, trying to put the big picture into some cohesive focus.
Maybe the best I can describe our ‘state’ last night, arriving back at our hotel, is two little kids coming home after a day of sunshine and sand and waves at the beach, smiling, limp and exhausted, falling into bed, asleep before our heads hit the pillow. And to think this is available to us all, 24/7/365! If we’re willing, God makes Himself super-abundantly available! And He has fantabulous stuff in store for us. I don’t want to miss a bit of what He has for me. With that, I’ve gotta run and get ready for the next dose that today holds in store. You can livestream with but a warning: Be prepared! He is waiting for us! PD
