Sunday, August 23, 2009

My Journey with Hillsong


Hillsong never meant much to me. When I heard people refer to it my thoughts were, "I think I have heard some of their songs...they are based in the UK or maybe Australia...I can't quite remember." When I entered college I had a couple close girlfriends who knew more than I did and began to explain to me that they were based in Australia (not the UK like I had originally thought) and that they were hoping to attend their worship school sometime in the near future. Even with these little pieces of information I never really realized the vastness of who they were. With the move to New Zealand I caught a bigger glimpse of it. I think for certain things it all depends on where you are located in the world to understand how BIG (aka popular) some things are. New Zealand I think gave me far more insight to "who" Hillsong was and their vision for ministry in the world.

My world was rocked when Kristin and I had the chance to visit Australia and had the opportunity to attend their church. Had you ever shared with my 15 year old self that I would ever visit this church family I would have giggled at you (yes giggled) and walked away. But after getting a bit lost, almost missing a shuttle, there we stood. I remember feeling overwhelmed and yet anticipation grew within me that I knew this was a journey that I had to experience myself with God. My heart I think actually expanded in that 2 hour period that we were there. We met some of the most nice kind hearted people and I met with a very very tangible part of God. I am not sure I will ever be able to put it in words and maybe that is ok. This was a moment between God and one I know will never quite be duplicated.

So fast forward 2 years, I haven't listened to much of their music recently, still hang on to remnants of that night when Kristin and I visited. But here I sit in my room, feeling miserable, "dry", parched for something I know I have been longing for. Going through my music collection I stumble across a cd a friend made me a while back, a compilation of her favorite songs from Hillsong. I put it on. A wave of release and a breakthrough in the tension of myself swallowed me whole. I am constantly left speechless for how God can work in my life personally. The tensions that I hang onto on a daily basis that build up over the months can within a moments notice be wiped from my life and I am given a sense of peace that can not be compared to anything in this world.

I think God likes to use music in my life. It is something I have always resonated with and maybe I can "blame" my parents for since they used to play together before I was even born and then it took a pretty big role in our home life as I was growing up. Even though I can't carry a tune and I don't have the knack to play an instrument hearing others works of art and gifts does something for me; Hillsong and their music only adding to that.

2 comments:

Special K said...

I look back on that evening we spent there too... it was a special night. Thanks for letting me share it with you. God is so GOOD even when things seem messy.

Unknown said...

and HILLSONG gives you the memory of the kiwi dance.. ;)