A few years ago, I went to an event of a similar nature as FireUP, and it was at that event that I heard a man speak of something that so burned in my heart that it brings tears to my eyes to this day as I speak of it.
The preacher was a man about fifty years of age, he spoke with a burning passionate love for Jesus, and a conviction that what he spoke was Truth. In his message, he told a story of being a man in his early twenties. He was at a conference with about three thousand young people, the same age he was, and the man speaking asked the young people there to commit to live a life faithfully burning before the Lord. And at that conference three thousand people in their early twenties responded to commit to a life of faithfulness before God. They celebrated together dancing in worship before God. Three thousand young people. Commitment. Dancing.
As I sat and listened to this fifty year old preacher tell this story, I was wondering why the tone of his story was tinged with sorrow. He paused after telling of the dancing, and the commitment all three thousand had made. His voice caught in his throat as he said, “three thousand young people, dancing… and now, thirty years later, after trial, hardship, and time, of those three thousand, all that are left is a handful. A handful out of three thousand that still dance, and burn before the Lord.”
Something in my heart tore open. How grievous! That at a conference, everyone is ready to live for Jesus, and when they get back home, life gets in the way. Friends don’t want them to change. Parents are uncomfortable with this new passion they have. People wonder why they have to be so radical. It’s like a wet blanket is being thrown on them… and the fire begins to fade… Not right away, but slowly over time. Soon a year has gone by, and they return to the conference where the year before they had committed to burn for Jesus, and here, a year later, they’re a bedraggled wreck, storm tossed and tattered on the sea of life. How sorrowful!
So, as much as I love conferences, and watching people worship with passion before Jesus, what I love even more is when I meet one. One person who wakes up in the middle of the night crying out for God to move in their city. One person who walks with integrity in spite of the response of their friends, family, and workplace. One person who sets all of their life aside to spend a couple hours everyday with God in prayer and in the Word. I love conferences, and dancing masses of people, but I’d trade it all in a heartbeat for one.
So when we designed this event, the thrust was to lead people into an encounter, a personal meeting, with the Living God. But we refuse to let it end Saturday, August 20th. It must carry on throughout the year. It’s not enough to get excited once a year at a big conference! Jesus is exciting everyday!
But we can’t do it on our own. We need the company and support of the family of believers. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs. So, get involved in a church, a small group, a discipleship group. Get tied in with people who will push you deeper and deeper into God’s burning heart. Find a friend that will commit to pursue Jesus with you, and commit to each other to hold the course. My hope is that each year, as you return to FireUP, you’ll come back stronger and more in love than when you left the year before, and that throughout the year you will enjoy the strength and encouragement that comes from being a part of a local church body.
Because we know that resources are at a premium, we’re providing access throughout the year to weekly podcasts, devotionals, and books that will challenge you to continue to burn with love for Jesus— one day at a time, all year long. That access will be provided for you when you sign in at FireUP be.loved in August. See you then.
In hope,
Charlie
