Bethel or Bust?

A few months ago, Joanna and I discovered that Bethel Music was going on tour. Joanna had seen them a few times in the past, but I had not. She told me that each Bethel show she had seen was unique, and they all were good. Joanna told me God showed up with Bethel and that worship was powerful. She felt that God was calling us there. She was being drawn! All I could think of was that this concert was outside. In Georgia. In July. All of my days of sitting on concrete bleachers baked by the Southern summer sun told me not to go. After some deliberation, though, we did secure tickets to see them in LaGrange, Georgia.

I should know by now to listen to her….

The show started late because we were outside in Georgia in July. No, there was no heatstroke involved. There was rain. Lots of rain, and thunder, and vertical lightning. Look at the selfie again. We were wet and about to get even wetter.

Bethel Music is more than a music group. Their concerts are more than songs. What we went to was a worship experience. The Holy Spirit was there from the first song by the opening act, J.J. Weeks. The anointing flowed from the stage and God moved over a crowd of people with raised hands and searching hearts.

Then Bethel Music took the stage. They are more than musicians. They are missionaries, traveling around to bring God’s Word to the masses. Their songs are declarations of worship and praise, lifting the name of Jesus and declaring His majesty.

You know who else I’ve sat in the rain to watch? My classmates at football games. My kid at football games. The University of Alabama at football games. (Do you see a pattern?) But this weekend was different. We weren’t there to celebrate touchdowns or to lend our support. We were there looking for something.

We got our worship on. What does that mean? We stood, swayed, danced, and sang! There were those around us who were jumping, yelling, praising God! I felt joy as I sang about God’s love. I felt victory as I declared the power and resurrection of Jesus. We left with a kind of excited peace. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but that is the best way to describe it. After experiencing the excitement of our worship, we were left filled with what God brings: joy, peace, love, and more.

We were able to meet with the Lord in a way that some people dismiss. They say it’s too emotional. Well, Jesus was emotional. He laughed and wept, he got angry and animated. God is emotional, too. He gets angry, sad, and even so pleased that He sings over us. And created in His image, so I have an emotional reaction when I meet with my Lord. I may cry with humility, I may dance with victory, or I may jump with freedom!

We went expecting to be met by God, and we weren’t disappointed. Thunder, lightning, rain, heat, stairs upon stairs upon stairs, but we were favored to be in God’s presence. How blessed we are to worship a king who meets us where we are! He will meet us in literal storms, and he will meet us in our personal storms. We just have to seek Him. Let us not give up because we might get uncomfortable. The connection to our Lord is so worth it.

“Bethel” means “holy place.” Remember: that is wherever you and God meet.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13