What We're Praying For.

Some friends and I rode the light rail into Uptown Charlotte tonight right after leaving a meeting of zealous people mingling together and sharing testimonies of what the Lord is doing. Something was different than the last time I rode. It was like my eyes were completely opened to every single person riding. You know how sometimes someone sticks out to you that you know is dealing with something, and you want to be there for them, have the right words for them, hug them, love them, and see them okay again before you leave? Well, it was like that, but it was everyone. It was crazy, overwhelming, and kind of scary. It seemed like everyone who hopped on and off of the light rail was just weighed down, oppressed, unsatisfied, hopeless, and just plain burnt out by life. I could almost literally see it in everyone. There was no expression of joy, rest, praise, thankfulness, hope, or satisfaction even in a smile or laugh that was heard. I couldn't help but pray a lot of the time in silence for every face I saw. It sounds so cliche and "sunday school", but it made me want more than I used to enjoy when going into the "big and exciting" city for the night away, or more than just me and the people I'm with to walk the city and enjoy it. I couldn't even think about what I wanted. Instead of wanting to explore the area on my time off and goof off, I wanted nothing more than the people to know the heart of their Creator, behind the clouds and dreariness of what is seen. I wanted to see the whole place completely transformed by perfect love instead of find a new art museum, retro coffee shop, or sweet clothing store. Its not enjoyable when the ones we meet aren't walking in joy and rest and experiencing the love of the Father. Even now as I write this the desire is still here inside of me to see it happen. What would it be like to go to Uptown and not feel like we stopped hearing testimonies and stopped encountering the joy and rest and love through others that can only come from the throne room; and, not for our sake, but for the sake of others who cross paths with them, and for Jesus' name and power of love to truly be shown. Would that be "the fullness"? Would that be a city transformed and carrying "the face of Christ"? Would He, and us, be able to rest because there was no more transformation that was needed? I guess that's what we're here praying for...hmph...anyways, all in all the bustling streets that once fascinated me with all the options of diversity from my normal lifestyle at my feet didn't seem so satisfying anymore; all I wanted to do was just find a simple place to recruit to and sit and enjoy the company of those I had come with in order to find rest. Eventually, thankfully, another friend drove into Uptown and met us, and we ended up going to a new area of Charlotte, so we didn't ride the rail back. As we were driving back we approached a storm the closer we got to home. It was a beautiful and glorious way to end the night with the natural dancing light beams of explosive power revealing the sillouettes of clouds hidden by the fallen night. I'd say it far outdid the light rail in all of its wonder, hints, and provoking appeal for greater things. It was a sweet gift from the Lord to let me fall back and rest in the knowledge of His beauty that still exists around us. And the hope that comes from that for this city.

Even now, I'm listening to soft roles of thunder. Wonderful.

G'nite.