Once they were all gathered at the front, Eli’s dad started talking. He was encouraging and made them feel safe and assured. “God has a plan for all of you. Each of you is destined to do great works for God. Some of you have already accepted to be of use to God. But He’s telling me He needs to hear it from all of you. Right here. Right now.” So it was God Himself speaking to him, thought Dan. Eli’s father leaned back and projected his voice. “I would like the congregation to please pray for these young people as I pray with them.” All throughout the congregation people began to say personal prayers out loud, creating a murmur in the building. Eli’s father walked over to Eli and got close, whispering, “Eli, do you accept that God has a great work for you to do? Do you agree to Him, not me, that you will always hold the light and be the beacon He has called you to be?” Eli didn’t really understand all his words but he trusted God and wanted Him to use him however He saw fit. “Yes sir. I do.” As the words came out of his mouth, Eli’s vision went white, as if someone was shining the brightest white light directly into his eyes. He closed his eyes but the light did not dim, his vision did not change.
Do not run from the light. Embrace it. See through it. See with it.
He heard a voice that wasn’t his father’s say. It seemed to take all he had but he strained himself to become accustomed to the brilliant light. As he resigned himself to it, he realized that his eyes didn’t actually hurt.
Dan felt a surge of power. What is happening? This isn’t normal. I have only felt this much power once before. I haven’t been the same since. What exactly are You about to do here, God? Dan didn’t get an answer. All he got was that voice he knew all too well saying, “MOVE.” He didn’t know where but he allowed his feet to move and let that force he knew so intimately guide him. He wound up on the end, next to Cade. “Don’t be afraid. Be honest. I’ll always be there for you and defend you.” He reached out and held Cade’s hand.
Eli’s father moved down the line to Matthew, who had stood next to Eli. “You must be Matthew.” Matthew nodded. “Studious. Knowledgeable. A desire to know and understand as much as you can about the Word of God. Do you accept that God has a great work for you to do? Do you agree to not just keep that fire for God’s Word, but tame it, and use it for His glory?” “Yes sir. Always.” As Matthew finished his affirmation, he felt hot. But not like a hot on his skin. He felt hot from inside his body. He started to sweat and struggled to keep his composure.
Control yourself.
He heard the words and focused like he was calming himself down from getting angry. He remembered the techniques his therapist had taught him. The more he tried, the more comfortable the heat became, until it was warm and comforting.
Dan felt another surge.
The minister moved on to Brandon, who was fidgeting on the balls of his feet looking skeptical. “Brandon right?” “Yeah.” “People assume a lot about you because of your stature. And you feel some pressure to live up to most of those assumptions. But God knows who you really are.” The minister placed his hand on Brandon’s chest and Brandon felt an overwhelming sense of calm, of peace. He felt his eyes water and fought to hold back tears. “You don’t have to act strong all the time. God will be your strength. If you let him.” Brandon didn’t exactly know why but he felt what the preacher was saying. Tears started to fall down his face. “Do you accept that God has a great work for you to do? Do you agree to accept the strength of God and be the steady, dependable rock for those around you with His power?” “Yes,” Brandon almost whispered. The words fought to come out but once they did, he felt heavy, like there was a weight placed upon him.
Take a stance. Endure.
The words came softly, not as a command or expectation, but as advice.
Next was Ricky. “Hello Richard. How are you?” “I’m good Mr. Grant.” “Quite the group of friends you have here. They have so much respect for you. God has made you quite the leader already. Do you accept that God has a great work for you to do? Do you agree to listen to His voice on the wind, letting Him guide you into being the leader you were meant to be?” “Yes sir.” The words felt cold escaping his lips. But then he realized he was cold all over, as if a breeze was constantly blowing around him. He could hear it.
Listen. Wait and listen.
He heard the words and could have sworn he felt breath against his ears.
“Well you must be Katrina, Richard’s girlfriend.” “Yes sir,” Kat confirmed, squeezing Ricky’s hand lightly to no response. “The lone lady of the group. Headstrong enough to hold your own amongst these guys and stay calm. Do you accept that God has a great work for you to do? Do you agree to be as still as a pond but as fierce as the raging sea when needed?” Kat thought about his words. They resonated with her. “Sure. Yes sir.” She immediately lost her balance, as if someone was pushing and pulling her in different directions. She squeezed Ricky’s hand to try and steady herself.
Find your center. Find your calm.
The words boomed liked thunder in a storm, assertive and powerful. She remembered how she used to meditate with incense and tried to steady her body and mind.
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