Showing up is not a new concept, but sometimes it feels that way. Something in our culture has told us to pull back, to protect ourselves from hurt, from people, and from entering in with one another. Kara Trippets
For Christ's love compels us... 2 Corinthians 5:14
I was hesitant to show up, I wanted it badly but I was thinking I might waste money yet God made a way. I know it's Him, allowing me to enjoy my youth. Imagine even if it seems it's a lil' thing, God showed up and provided the way. I am smiling while writing this because He is a loving Father.
I've never been a fangirl back then but when I discovered their music, they just made me feel loved, they are not the typical boy band, they know their purpose which is to lead those brokenhearted people to the One who can really heal them.
It was already night when my customer messaged me that she would buy again the products which I thought she canceled. Our cute little friend kept on messaging us and forcing us to join her, so I messaged back and confirmed I would join her. Another thing, our tickets were changed into VIP tickets, until now I couldn't believe it.
I've never been to concerts like that, I usually attend worship night concerts. At first, I was irritated with the other bands, those songs that are so popular with seductive meanings. Actually, it is the norm already maybe I am just too conservative like an old lady in my generation.
Yet, we naturally sang along, jumped, laughed, and screamed like a sixteen-year-old lady when they started to sing. We enjoyed the beat and each other's presence. I knew she won't forget that night, she was even crying when our crush gestured a heart and waved to us. My heart is so full too. We went home late and my mother scold me like I'm twelve years old kid. LOL
We just showed up and it was remarkable for every one of us.
The gift of presence, the value of showing up not only in times of celebration and suffering but also even in ordinary moments, when we just need someone to dance with us, to sing along with us, to dine with us, to converse with us, to sit and to listen with us and to connect with us.
I am the usual introvert, I don't want crowds and I enjoyed being alone but I really do appreciate those people who come along and connect with me. In my heart, they are the best people.
I remember again our pastor, whenever we had conferences, he always pushed us to sit at a different table and meet new people, he got mad when my friends and I always stuck together. He wanted us to connect or just to listen to other people's stories, to ask questions in order to know the person and just get along. It makes sense now that I'm older.
And every time I show up, I meet the most amazing people. I was astounded at how things transpired and how quickly they became close friends till this point. So instead of protecting myself from the worst possibility, I opened myself freely now, while practicing discernment, setting some boundaries, and allowing myself to be hurt at some point.
I remember how Zacchaeus showed up just to be recognized by Jesus in Luke 19: 1-10. He was a chief tax collector and was rich yet he was small in stature. He couldn't see him because of the large crowd so he decided to climb up into a sycamore tree. And when Jesus came to the place, he called Zacchaeus and even stayed at his house. Many people were grumbling because he was willing to be a guest of a man who is a sinner. Hence, Jesus had a plan for Zacchaeus.
A rich man who was very eager to show up just to see Jesus. He was not discouraged by his height nor the random and bad remarks of others instead he found a way just to see Christ. Jesus noticed him of all the people there. He called him, met him, and stayed with him. And his eagerness changes his whole life, he received Salvation through Christ, and until now his name travel to different places.
Our wanting to show up, even if we don't know what to do or say or even feel, comes because some is nudging us, or rather Someone. It's the love of Christ compelling us to not just sit there but to get up and move. To show up.
Kara Trippets
