Conference

                  In my fifty-four years as a Christian I have attended very few conferences. Not because I don’t think they are worth it, but because of the negative feedback I have heard. Then again, not negative feedback about Christian conferences, but rather people criticizing those who go, have a wonderful time, and then afterwards are miserable. They can’t wait for the next conference, in order to feel great again. In reality, those people did not learn what the conference teachers were trying to pass on to them.

                  This past weekend my church had a one-day women’s conference, which I attended. I fully understand those who love attending conferences! The worship was phenomenal! It was so great to be with a couple of hundred other ladies who totally wanted to worship the Lord. I danced, I sang, I shouted, and I danced some more. And I felt the presence of God. And when the invitation was given to go forward for prayer, I was there. I wanted whatever the Lord had for me. And I felt even more presence of the Lord. Plus I received a couple of encouraging prophetic words.

                  Then I went home. My dog was ready for a walk, so off we went. The teaching had been good at the conference too, and I was musing over what had been said whilst I walked my dog. In the morning we had been considering how our Christian lives are like seeds planted in the soil. The seed is planted, and begins to grow. The roots develop, and there is a need for nutrients, first nitrogen and later phosphorus and then potassium. Later the plant just needs to be watered in order to produce fruit.

My thoughts turned to my own gardening attempts. Every year I plant my seeds in little pots, with the best potting soil, and put them close to the light, but indoors. I care for them daily, and am rewarded with some healthy plants that will eventually be able to be planted outside. And every year my daughter just buys the plants from the gardening store, and they are always bigger and healthier than mine! And that was what I was thinking about while I walked my dog: why, when I think that I did everything right, were my plants not as big as the ones available at the gardening stores? And then I began wondering why my life was not as fruitful as I longed for it to be, when I felt that I was doing everything I was supposed to be doing?

Then I saw it. By the side of the trail that I was walking along someone had left some tomato plants that they no longer wanted. A sign was in front of them: FREE. I walked around the trail for a while and then came back to the plants. I picked one up in order to take it home and plant it in my small garden. And when I got home I initially just placed it beside one of my home-grown plants. It was much bigger and healthier. That’s when I sensed the Lord speak to me. I felt that he whispered to me that he was taking me to the next level. Not slowly, over a period of time, but a jump. He was jumping me up to the next level of intimacy, of walking with him. It was a gift. Not earned, not deserved, just freely given because he loves me. This was the gift I was receiving because I attended the conference.

I still need to water my new plant. I need to care for it, to put it in a safe place in my garden, away from the rabbits and squirrels. And in the same way I need to care for my new growth. I need to continue to be in the Word, to be worshiping, interceding, giving, sharing. I need to be in a church, learning from others and giving to others.

It was a great conference. I am so glad that I went. And I embraced the teaching that was shared, and consequently I am not miserable, I’m not sad that I am not at a conference again today. Instead I have a deep contentment, a joy, a recognition that God is with me, that I am his and he is mine. And I am believing that I am going to be productive in the things that God has called me to do. Yes.