High schoolers are so hyper when they all get together. I guess that’s one of many reasons I love them. Tri-Lakes Younglife is definitely a manic group sometimes. Jerome (my car) and I headed off to go pick up a few kids from the skate park in Monument. Reid (another Younglife leader) came with and we were talking about the perfect new REI jackets we received from committee for Christmas. There is something about fleece jackets that just make you feel so native to Colorado. After jamming out to – embarrassingly—“Love Like Whoa” twice we arrive to the skate park to pick up Davin, Alex, George, and Cole. “Fancy” by Drake is another Younglife favorite (the clean version of course) so we bust that out whilst conveniently tucking Cole’s name into the lyrics. “Oh Cole’s fancy huh?”
Hollywood theater was waiting for us as well as the bursts of laughter from the rest of our group. We were seeing the new Narnia movie and I was trying my best to contain my excitement. Total nerd alert with how much I love and respect C.S. Lewis. As I went around hugging the teens I hadn’t seen yet and then being sneak attacked piggy backed by Brooke, I decided to go say hi to all the other leaders. Blake and his wife Dani also had their new jackets on as Dani and I laughed about how we matched. Twinzies. Jeremy gave me a hug and thanked me for bringing some of the kids. I high fived Josh and then made my way to Evette. Oh, how much I respect Evette. Evette has been involved with Younglife for over 30 years and simply is saturated with Christ. Every time I see her and speak to her, I feel closer to my Savior. She is one of those people who just, gets It.
Evette lost her husband, Mark, this year to a long battle with cancer. Last year I sat at a Younglife club night and listened to her give a talk before Mark passed about trusting in God. She could barely get her words out as she spoke through sobs. “I’m scared, but I know He will take care of me.” Silent, unspoken tears trailed down my face. I could barely wrap my mind around what Evette was saying. This year at club, Evette spoke about the Lord being a good shepherd. “Mark was a tangible example of Christ to me,” she said, “and now… Now I have Christ himself.” I pray that I have the relationship and faith that Evette does someday.
As I held back my tears at the end of Narnia, dwelling on the words of Aslan, and ultimately longing for heaven I heard a sniffle from behind me. Evette was wiping tears from off her beautiful face… my eyes instantly were invaded by tears. She spoke to me about how she read those books to her children many times. I spoke of how Lewis does an amazing job painting spiritual wonders. Evette looked at me through her wise eyes and tear stained face, “The longing in my heart is so great.”
I was shaken. Do I long for Heaven, for my King to return and make all things new?
Romans 8:22-24 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.
Do I long? Rarely. Do I weep at the thought of seeing my Savior? Hardly. Oh that Christ may soften my calloused heart. I bet Evette thinks of Heaven daily, and that is now my prayer as well. May the longing in our hearts be great. I need to spend more time with Evette and learn from her I’ve decided. What an amazing woman God has placed into my life that I earnestly desire to learn from.
Walking out of that movie theater, driving Brooke and Maddy home, I had a deep self evaluation. There are many things Christ has changed in me, and there are many things still needing to change. As I pulled into my driveway and turned off Jerome’s engine I sat in my car. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so thick, I couldn’t leave. I dwelt in that moment and in His presence. I wanted to be still and know that He is God.
My thoughts were soon interrupted Stevie Wonder's “Sign Sealed Delivered” as my ringtone on my phone. Dang. As I pushed my key into the lock of my door and jimmied it to open I went into my room and read Revelations 22:1-5.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”
“You have returned for a reason. Your adventure begins now.” -Aslan
