I almost forgot…

Isn’t it funny that some of the most amazing experiences we have in life and the emotions that accompany them are so easy to forget?

During my time here in Australia I have been able to build relationships with some incredibly amazing people. The other night, one of those amazing people accompanied me to church. She’s from a small town in Ontario, Canada and has no church background aside from a few Christmas services and a frightening encounter with an angry preacher at a funeral.

So it goes without saying (even though I’m saying it) that at the end of the night I was eager to hear what she thought.

At first she spoke of the huge auditorium and the beautiful campus that housed it (It’s cool…It’s Hillsong), and how it was in sharp contrast to the churches in her town, which all happen to be on Church St. (Go figure).

Then she hit me with a couple of statements I wasn’t prepared for.

She told me that she had never been in a room with so many passionate people. To that point in her life she didn’t think it was even possible for people to be that passionate about anything. She said she could tell it wasn’t just a whole bunch of people in a room, but it was a real genuine community. From the worship, to the preaching, to the people… she was blown away.

Seeing the look on her face, and hearing the tone of her voice, made me realize a few things I almost forgot.

I almost forgot the effect that a passion for God can have on someone …

I almost forgot the look in a person’s eyes when He awakens hope in their heart…

I almost forgot how amazing it was that His passion and His hope are always active in me because of the love he showed in His Son.


Psalm 103
 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; 

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, 
 
and forget not all his benefits-
 3 who forgives all your sins 

and heals all your diseases,
 4 who redeems your life from the pit 
 
and crowns you with love and compassion,
 5 who satisfies your desires with good things 
 
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.


Let us never take for granted the awesome power of God in our lives…

Let us never forget, that same power can change the life of another in an instant.

Please don’t be like me and forget, even for a moment, the goodness of God. I encourage you to carve out some time in your week to reflect on the goodness of God in your life. Reflect on those moments when he “showed up” and left no doubt that He exists and that He hears your call.

Love, Life, Christ
Riis