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15th February 2010 by Shar Davis

As I write this (on Monday 1 Feb), I haven't showered for four days (although I did get a good swim in on Saturday). I have dirty feet, crazy hair and a bag full of wet clothes.

Now before you start to wonder about my personal hygiene habits, perhaps I should let you know I've just been to Parachute Music Festival in Hamilton, New Zealand - the biggest Christian festival this side of the globe.

A monumental occasion

This year's festival goes down in the history books for a few reasons: it's the 20th year of the festival; it was the year that "underoath" came to town; and it was the year of torrential rain, lightning, thunder and a mosh pit that became a mud pit!

For pretty much the entire day on Sunday we had torrential rain and while thousands of people packed up early and headed towards home, some of us chose to brave the elements for an amazing worship night with bands like Leeland, Parachute Band and Hillsong United.

When the rain came

The rain pretty much held off in the evening until Hillsong United took the stage and then the floodgates opened wide, the thunder struck and the stage lighting was overshadowed by the lightning flashes.

So there I stood, just a few rows from the front of stage with my friends, totally soaked through, huddled for warmth and singing with everything I had these words:

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
(Hillsong United, From the Inside Out)

Worship regardless of what's happening around you

Those words were a challenge to me and a declaration at the same time of what I want my life to be. You see unlike thousands of others who chose to leave when things became a little uncomfortable, (due to the insane weather) those of us in the ‘mud pit' that was the main-stage were there for a purpose.

We were there to worship.

No matter what the weather threw at us, we were committed to the cause. Sure some may have been a little motivated by the desire to ‘see' the bands rather than purely the act of worship, but for me it felt like every time the rain got stronger and I sang louder it was like I was ‘sticking it' to the enemy and focusing myself on Jesus - the one worthy of all my attention.

Worship even in the storm

We all face ‘storms' in our lives. It was far easier to face last night's storm surrounded by thousands of others who were facing it too. Would I have been so willing to stand in that kind of weather for that long if I was on my own? Probably not because for one thing it would have been freezing (there's a lot to be said for shared body heat).

You will be facing some storms this year. They might be to do with relationships with your family or close friends. Perhaps regarding your plans of where you want your life to go. Maybe the storm will be a challenge about your resources (and I don't mean just money).

Worship with your wisely-chosen friends

Whatever storms come, you are going to need other people to help you get through them. If you don't already have some good quality Jesus followers in your life, ask God to help you find some.

You want someone who when the storms of life hit they're not going to want to pack up their tent and duck for cover (so to speak).

You want someone who will stand in the thunder and rain, stick it to the enemy and desire above all else to be consumed by the life changing presence of Jesus - and be willing to help you get your thong out of the mud so you can keep walking forward.

By Shar Davis (Captain), Corps Officer Grandview Corps New Zealand

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