The Visual Aid of Exhaustion

There are few events in my life that EXHAUST me. I'm talking about the kind of exhaustion where you stand somewhere upright with your eyes open, but then you "wake up." And you have no idea how long you've been standing there, what you came to that spot for, and worse, if anybody SAW your zombie-like stare into space. You can only hope you weren't also muttering incoherently. Touch the Future conference is an event that does this. But, I love it! 

I don't love it because I'm sadistic. I love it because all year I seek to give God a living sacrifice, and I think I accomplish it here and there. But that level of exhaustion at TtF is like a physical finish line. "Yo, Adrien! I did it!"

The level of exhaustion (minus resentment) is a visual aid of the level of blessing prepared for me!

It's not that I want to brag about it, it's just a personal realization. This understanding gives the intense labor "a prize set before me." There's nothing wrong with needing a prize. Jesus needed to know there was a finish line and prize to his endurance as well.

Touch the Fiture isn't "just another" conference. It's special because of what guests get out of it;

Attending a service without leading a service. 

Young preachers KNOWING people believe in them. 

Ministries of every sort being inspired by what they see and feel.

Being treated royally. 

Having a holy, safe place to find fellowship. 

...not to mention all of the supernatural experiences. 

But there's another side of Touch the Future, and that is what WE get out of it.

We get the kinds of blessings that only come from giving sacrificially. Things such as our kids going into their twenties with supernatural wisdom and direction. Things like our businesses being blessed, and finding favor on our jobs. 

Our church departments get a brush up on quality in preparation for Touch the Future. But then we maintain that goodness all year, impressing and "wooing" our own community into the Kingdom of God. 

New friendships are made by the laborers during Touch the Future, old friendships are re-established. When we all pull together how happy we'll be! We share behind-the-scenes follies and had-to-be-there private jokes. 

But most importantly, we become this generation's "John 2:9 Servants." 

John 2:9 (KJV)

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

From the platform, to the balcony, to the lobby, to the doors. From the vacuum, to the spoon, to the tablecloth, to the mop. We know we're "just servants." And it's almost unbelievable how in the world our "just hands," can obediently scoop up "just water" in our vessels, but it seem like the best experience our guests have ever had!

It's to be noted that we do not find record of the servants drinking this water-to-wine. My assumption is that they did as we do during Touch the Future; whoever served to the end of the night, was allowed the remnants. But, the servants certainly did not have a specified seat, and therefore had really sore feet by the end of the night! The wine that they served was not for their restoration, or enjoyment.

I'm so godly-proud of us for reacting to the stresses and strains of major events with humor, instead of resentment. From rock bands, to government, to office management, it's common knowledge that even the best of these fall apart when stresses cause resentment. Decade after decade Souls Harbor has chosen to serve in spite of the exhaustion with humor, forgiveness, and unity.

Let us never think that WE actually are "all that." It's a mistake to think that our spiffiness, and awesome music, and beautiful grounds, and tasteful decor is because WE are just that good. We are nothing but servants doing bidding. While I appreciate individuals growing in insight and quality, it's a black hole to feel we are The King or Queen of what we do. It's a trap to not consciously work under the fact that the Holy Ghost makes the difference. We should NEVER make singing carnal, decorating carnal, vacuuming carnal, or any task that we are given during TtF, or anytime of the year. These acts are to remain SPIRITUAL. Otherwise, our efforts at TtF are no more connected to God than a cruise ship with all its beauty and entertainment.

Our efforts are to remain spiritual. 

That's the miracle of Touch the Future! It's "just us" being willing to obey the call to serve. But when we pour out of ourselves... BAM!

Intoxicating goodness that restores and refreshes our guests! We alone are privy to what a miracle this is. 

"The servants knew..."

We shake our heads in surprise. 

We also find our heads nodding off in exhaustion! 

But, it's worth it all.

Thank you for unifying in this sacrifice. 

Each of us could obediently figure out a way to serve ministry in a way that brings down the blessings that I described above. But it wouldn't be as intensive and widespread a blessing. Our widespread exhaustion (minus resentment) is a reflection of the widespread prize set before us;

blessings money can't buy!