the difference

there's a difference when one becomes keenly aware of the spiritual realm. understanding that which is not seen with the physical eyes takes one's worldview a level up. or should i say, a layer deeper. a dimension richer. a lot of people put everything they have into tangible, quantitative 'stuff'. you know, like the cliche about temporal versus eternal investments. i know i used to, and often times still do. nothing wrong with that, though, don't get me wrong. one cannot ignore what is before one's own eyes. what we do see is somewhat important. it's supernatural, however, when you know to read what corresponds in the spiritual that is manifested in the physical.

my life took a turn when i began to observe there are those who live as if their whole beings were just body and soul. and then there are those who know their spirits are just as real, if not more. spooky? not really. see how many people are now jumping on the bandwagon of spirituality. take a look at the growing market of all things spiritual...don't have me go into details now. now still, i keep observing.

for a couple of years now i clearly remember what one pastor taught me. pastor benny ho once shared 3 emphases which i took seriously as i then analyzed how these 3 fit into my understanding of young people: this generation are to be (1) sacrificial in lifestyle; (2) strategic in decision-making; (3) strong in spirit. and i know they are! i love being a part of young people experiencing God. their lives never the same again. when filled with the Spirit of God, they're powerhouses...you can't go mild and gentle. undiluted message of the gospel. radical challenge of the cross. extreme change in values. i feel it in my bones...i see them pray, i pray with them. doesn't matter what the world say, dismal as statistics can look, young people becoming keenly aware of God's Spirit - that's what i'm talking about!

last Sat the presence of God was so strong during a worship time with my youth. it was awe-some...i just watched them soak in the understanding that God loves them. the Spirit of God moved many to just kneel down low, some began to weep, 'cause they were tuned in...tuned in as the Holy Spirit spoke to them. you don't even need to do anything, they just tarried. i asked God, 'anything you want me to do, like lead them in prayer or something?' He just said 'wait'. so i waited. the worship got deeper and the atmosphere started to lift. you can just sense the youth entering into an even deeper realm of the presence of God. when i felt it was time, i took on the mike and released a word. the receptivity is so different. the difference between skin-deep and breakthrough worship.

it's a season of renewal and breakthrough. worship cannot be mild and gentle no more. we need to be people who are keenly aware of what God is saying all the time. to live and move and have our very being - body, soul, spirit - in Him alone. can't afford any other way. undiluted, concentrated dose of the message of the cross...i now pray everyday for the passion to live radical, i need it from God Himself. don't wanna be anything less than that.

what kind of leaders does this generation need? a different kind. sacrificial in lifestyle, strategic in decision-making and strong in spirit. Lord, help me be so. hit me with contrition and discontentment every single day, every week, every month, every year until i see breakthrough after breakthrough in this generation. first in me.