The Night We Were ONE
ONE is a celebration of Christ’s church in our city that has taken place in January to worship and pray into the New Year. Originating from a monthly meeting of pastors called the Pastors and Leaders Prayer Fellowship, last night marked the fifth ONE. A unique touch from God graced Sunday night’s ONE 2019.
The worship leaders and choir opened and closed the evening with a song titled “One”—a perfect anthem to marshal the Lord’s troupes. For nearly two hours, praise to the God and Savior we follow echoed throughout the building. Once, I thought I felt the building shake. It probably didn’t but who knows? It has happened.
There was no planned sermon, and no celebrity or personality brought in to juice-up the evening. No pressure to perform or sway the crowd was upon the men and women reading Scripture and praying, though we don’t deny being moved.
The rich heritage of the Reformed, Methodist, and Baptist traditions shared the stage with the spontaneity of Pentecostals and Charismatics. Doctrinal, cultural and language barriers failed to separate Caucasians, African-Americans and Hispanics. On Christ the Solid Rock we stood. The mere reading of Scripture and prayer sent “Hallelujahs” dancing throughout the room, the single word understood by every tongue and tribe.
The high praises of God calmed to an intimate lullaby of worship when the One who made us one with His life and sacrifice took center-stage. Behold, the cup and the loaf, the bread and wine, His body and blood. We served the Eucharist, the meal of our Common-union to His beautiful, diverse family. Shouts melted into silhouettes of intimate worship as we ate and drank in the Presence.
Perhaps it’s the current division in our nation that made ONE 2019 seem so exceptional. Whatever the reason, heaven’s touch this year was at a deeper level than previous years. Our differences faded in the light of His Presence.
In the end, while the musicians and sound crew packed up their equipment, a young lady waited backstage to meet me. Her puddled eyes spoke volumes.
“I need something in my life. I want what was here tonight.”
“Who invited you? What church do you attend?” I was merely interested.
Her answer is why we’ve done this for five years.
“I don’t go to any church. I work here.”
It hit me; she didn’t give-a-hoot whether we were Reformed, Methodist or Pentecostal. Our cultures or churches didn’t interest her. She wanted our Christ. She called it “something.” We know it’s Someone.
I prayed with her believing she’d meet the One she was looking for.
Driving home, I wondered if this young lady was but one representing thousands of others who need “something.” Perhaps they’ll find Him when we humble ourselves and become in practice what we already are in the Spirit. One.