Yesterday could be defined as weird.

I was just in a weird mood. I felt discouraged, confused about the weather (the limbo between seasons is Alabama’s trademark, I believe… enough to disconcert anybody), worried about decisions coming up, missing my best friend, and overwhelmed with my workload.

But (and I take after Paul by creating a dramatic shift), I took myself over to Ben Brown Plaza, plopped down on a bench, and started to read my Bible for my Biblical Perspectives class. It started to lighten my mood, the sun was shining, and I was reading Psalms for class. What’s better? 

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors” – Psalm 119:24.

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” – Psalm 145:15, 16

Those verses depicted my fall break in a nutshell, and wisdom for the moment and for times to come. As I was soaking up the sun and this truth in the center of campus, I also had about six or seven really great conversations with treasured friends. One by one they came up, we caught up, and they spouted out little nuggets of truth.

Let’s just say that I’m convinced that God works through his people and that if you fill yourself with the Word, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). I sure have some godly friends!

After a refreshing afternoon of conversations, homework completion, choir, dinner and picture-taking, I headed off to church at around 8, anticipating the Spirit to move and for my heart to be drawn to God through worship and sound  teaching. 

Although my heart was, and is, still heavy, I walked into Shades and was greeted by genuine hugs from new-found friends. The service last night is almost hard to explain. We sang a few songs of praise and were expecting a normal night of teaching.

But, praise the Lord, our university minister is sensitive to the Spirit. He read a few verses in James, provided us with some encouragement, and opened up the evening to praying in groups and worshipping some more. The Spirit of God was unleashed! Struggles were confessed, intercession occurred, adoration of God was proclaimed and fellowship was sweet. I believe God “satisfies the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16). 

Our desire as a university ministry last night was rest, and, man, it was fulfilled! 

Repentance brings rest. Confession brings freedom. Prayer produces confidence. 

What a night. God is faithful to give us daily bread, “their food at the proper time” (Psalm 145:15). The Spirit is moving. Don’t put out its fire, don’t quench it. Let Him move, break chains, set you free, bring you rest! 

Happy Thursday, friends.