An arched stained glass window depicted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane against decorative tiles and mystic blue lighting. Oak pews neatly lined and angled toward the front of the chapel revealed the nearly 100 years of history seeped into the walls, the burgundy carpet, and tan, stucco walls. The historic church in downtown Phoenix was packed with different faces from different places convening from different spaces all for the same purpose: To know Him and to make Him known.

A hymn hung in the air as voices sang in unison without any instruments or drum beats or notes from a piano; like one voice worshipping one God, it was sacred.

I stared down at my notes on my illuminated iPad and knew something felt wrong. In the midst of the sacred, old, and historic, it felt profane to be polished and slick and perfectly prepared. A small voice inside of me said, Let go. That’s it. Let go. I knew I had to switch my bible study but the manic control freak in me clutched my notes like a toddler’s blankie. I can’t let go! I studied! I prepared! I have a PowerPoint presentation! 

Let go. 

Worship came to a close, voices tapered down, and I stood on stage. I greeted and welcomed those in attendance, smiling at a sea of unknown faces. Before I could change my mind I blurted out, I’ve never done this before but I think we are going to change the message. I have prepared slides that we aren’t going to use and pictures you aren’t going to see because… because… we’re going old school tonight. 

Let go.

We spoke about trusting in a God who has proven Himself strong time and time again. Through an exegetical look at Psalm 46, we peeled back the layers from the song written by the sons of Korah in an historical church with a modern group of 20-Somthings.

Just like He is true to His word, I witnessed God prove Himself again. No slides, no pictures, no neatly practiced message read from my illuminated iPad… just the word of God broken down for our lives in a way that mattered. Because it did.

I’m not sure what most people think of the Holy Spirit these days, but what I will tell you is this: Acts 2 is for today. There wasn’t tongues of fire and nobody was smite by the hand of God, but God moved in a mighty way and I’m eagerly waiting to see how God will continue to mold, shape, and change the Pheonix ONE community.

The power of letting go allows God to reveal Himself like He has in the past. That’s the premise of Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God… If you take a look at the Hebrew translation, it can be roughly translated Let go and know I am God. That verb know is knowing through experience. Time and time again He has rescued us. He will be with us always. Be still and know. Let go and trust. 

***

To those who were there in Phoenix, I have a deep and profound love for you. Thank you for giving me the space and latitude to go to places I usually don’t. You forever have my heart.

For those who were not in attendance, I firmly believe that the phrase Let go was for multiple aspects of my life. Starting tomorrow, I’m inviting you and anyone else you would like to join to go through a topical study of James. Several years ago I did a summer series going through this book and created homework for this book.

Every Saturday I’ll be posting the homework as well as the video recording of the weekly sessions. If you would like to do the series, join in. I’m believing an old-school approach to a new way of thinking is a perfect way to start the summer.

Here’s a clip from the series! It’s pixelated, but the lesson quality will be better. [At least I hope so!] Happy Friday. 🙂