Be Present: Door Holders

I've made multiple pilgrimages to Passion Conference. For those not so acquainted with Passion it is a collegiate event in Atlanta with tens of thousands of college students from around the world gathering for the sake of God's renown.

Each trip has been amazing. Although the sheer number of young adults attending is incredible, there is a hidden facet that actually was quite impressive to me. Each year, I have arrived to a volunteer orientation, and have been amazed to find hundreds of adults there to serve these students. Last time I volunteered, there were 1200 adults--that's one thousand, two hundred adults--from all over the country coming to serve.

These volunteers paid their way, accommodations, and took time off from their lives to come and serve. Physicians & plumbers, grandmas & gardeners...all there to serve these students. I was overwhelmed by the mantra that was held by this motley crew of adult volunteers. Each one said in their own way, "I am here to serve these students." Directing traffic, organizing food, information, security, trash pick up, all kinds of jobs. Each task done by an adult investing, often in mundane ways, in the next generation.

Walk to match the talk.

I am again convicted that the world will change if we transcend mere talk about "supporting our youth." As we prepare for GODencounters, a young adult movement passionately pursuing a 24/7 experience of Christ Jesus, I am again reminded of the power of these new generations; But more poignantly, I'm convinced of the importance of older generations willing to open the door for those that follow. I'm here to serve next generations, because it feels like in doing that little bit, I'm serving Him.

What is our role in GOD's Kingdom?

While at the Passion Conferences, as I sat in the midst of hundreds of volunteers, all adults [many my age and older], I was struck by the enthusiasm and energy in the room.  There was vibrancy and smiles.  I was inspired by their eagerness to do our part to nurture new generations and their desire to live for His renown through serving young adults.

Passion founder, Louie Giglio struck a chord in my heart with his comment, "To hold the door for the next generation is what life is all about."

And indeed I have found that to be true in my life.  Life happens so fast.  It seems like just last week I was a 14-year-old working at Camp Kulaqua as a camp counselor, helping to bring campers to a joyful awareness of Jesus' love for us.  It seems like just yesterday I was a academy student planning week of prayer for Forest Lake Academy, trying to lift up Christ on our campus.  Wasn't it just hours ago, I was a collegian touring with the Destiny Drama Company, expressing the power, pertinence, and personality of Jesus through theatre?  Feels like minutes ago, I was serving as a youth/young adult pastor at Central Filipino Church while attending grad school at Fuller.

And all along my "youthful" journey, I can point to adults--compassionate, Christ-like teachers, relatives, parents, ministers and mentors--who held the door open for my generation, allowing us to bask in GOD's presence.

Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked. --Psalm 84:10 [NIV]

So in this phase of my life, I am a door holder.  Glad to serve at my post, welcoming the glad hearts of the youthful as they seek to encounter GOD.  And there is no other place I would rather be--I'm enjoying this "one day."

Encounter Prayer:

⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield, O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.

¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹² Lord Almighty,
    blessed are those who trust in you.

--Psalm 84:8-12 [TNIV] 

Encounter:

• Who "held the door for you" when you were younger, inviting you to experience GOD and enter into His presence?  What significance did that have for you then? Now?
• What are some simple ways we can be "door holders" for the next generation? Which are your favorite ways?
• Who is GOD impressing you to mentor?  What is your response to His request to "make disciples?" How might you "hold the door" for your mentee?