When this week began, Chad Dodson wrote a brief article for the website. In his post he gave us all a challenge, to BE EXPECTANT. To have an expectancy that the Holy Spirit will make His presence known on the Pomeroy levee this Saturday, and that His glory will be made known to the community and people's lives will be changed. That seeds of Christ's love and mercy will planted, and that for those hours on Saturday, that place will be made to be a worship place--a place where God's presence is evident.
Since then he has written two additional challenge articles. And as the week continues we will have even more to write in order to help prepare people for this weekend, but for now I want to add just one thought to Chad's exhortations to "BE EXPECTANT" and to "BE VIGILANT". In the same spirit of "BE" I would like to add another "BE" phrase. In addition to being expectant and being vigilant, I want to encourage us all to BE PRESENT.
The first step to this being a successful weekend is to have bodies--people from the church which is hosting it--in the parking lot throughout the day. Rarely do I put out a strong call to our local church body to clear your calendars and "be present" for one of our services, gatherings, events, etc. My thought has always been that you are adults, and if something is meaningful to you then you will make a point to attend. But I also recognize that sometimes we need a little push, a little challenge, to do something that we may not have initially been planning to do. So here is the challenge. Make some time to come to the parking lot this Saturday. This is an important event for Oasis. But not just for Oasis, for the kingdom of God in Meigs County. And who is Oasis? We are the church. The church is you, and the church is me. This is not just an event for people who play music or like music. Music is just an avenue to a greater cause. The cause is the Gospel. And you are the greatest component the church has in representing the Gospel to our community.
I know that not everyone who is reading this will have the availability to commit to being there for the duration of the day. But my challenge is, if you can, clear your calender just this one time. If you have other plans on Saturday, and what you have planned can be postponed or even set aside just this one time, then why not do it? If you absolutely cannot clear your day, then how about a few hours? Its an all afternoon and evening event. Come out for what you can. I know you won't regret it.
Finally, I encourage you to pray, perhaps even now at this very moment. Ask God to tell you what your involvement is to be in this weekend's He Reigns event. Ask Him to help you figure out a way to be there. If you have to work, ask God to move in some way that by Saturday you will be given the day off. One of the best things you can do to help this weekend, church, is be present.
God bless you. And may He reign!!!
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