Lights Out: How physical darkness brought out spiritual light

I can’t even begin to put what I’m feeling into words…. but I’m going to try because I don’t want to forget….

I was a newbie at a church in the city last night.  My friends had invited me to a college aged bible study and I happily agreed.  They introduced me to their friends, I shook countless hands and mingled among the clustered groups of college kids that filled the room.

The band took their place on stage, and everyone found their seats.  The music started, & the lights were dimmed down.  We sang a few songs and then….. everything went black.  The amplified guitars and microphoned voices faded out, the lights died and there we were, a room packed full of college kids.  Everything shut down, except our hearts.  Our voices carried on as we sang praises to our savior.

Let it rain
Let it rain
Open the flood gates of Heaven 
Let it rain
Let it rain
Open the flood gates of Heaven  

It was honestly one of the most beautiful things my ears have ever heard.

The room filled with song, voices overlapping voices in melody and harmony.

Candles began to appear around the stage as we sang, our voices slowly faded out as one chorus.  Then, someone from the crowd started to pray.  He thanked God for the night, for His faithfulness and love, and praised Him for His unchanging grace.  Then, another voice started praying, once she finished, another.  As soon as a prayer ended, another began, every voice intimate, honest, longing.

My heart overflowed.

Candles flickered on faces and created silhouettes and shadows.  Hands reached up in praise, heads bowed, eyes closed.  The speaker made his way on stage and prayed.

The night continued with a message on the power and effectiveness of prayer.  Each word spoken still echoes in my heart, and I’m still processing everything.  But one thing I can’t stop thinking about and dwelling on, is how heavenly the voices were when we worshiped.  After the message, we sang a few more songs before being dismissed.  The voices cried out in earnest and with such passion.  The lyrics to the songs we sang were so powerful, so true.

The Holy Spirit moved.

Here is a picture of the night.  Its perfect. Its wonderful.  A few candles, and a room packed with lovers of Christ.  We still don’t know why the power went out.  But honestly, I’m glad it did.  Because in those moments of physical darkness, our love for Christ shined bright.