Passion 2010

Friday, November 5, 2010: the 2010 Passion World Tour made its seventh and final stop of the year at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.  In attendance were 10,900 young adults, over 300 volunteers, several well-known musical performers (including Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and the David Crowder Band), and the renowned speaker Louie Giglio.  Among the throng of concert-goers in that arena were myself and life-long amigo Chad, who brought up the idea of making the trip for this event.
To be honest, I'm not much of a concert person.  I've been raised on hymns and classical music, and although my tastes have diversified the last few years, the jean-shaking volume of rock concerts (Christian though they may be) does not appeal to me.  And yes, my jeans were shaking.  I'd be interested to know how much power is required to generate that kind of volume.
I will, however, testify to the encouragement gained from seeing almost eleven thousand young Christian adults singing praises to their Saviour.  People from all ethnic backgrounds, all social circles, and all kinds of financial and emotional circumstances were at that performance, and when they all joined in to sing, it was a powerful thing.
The highlight for me was to hear Louie Giglio deliver a message much needed in Christian circles today.  His primary focus was on the fact that we, as children of God, ought to live in a way that brings glory to the Creator.  The verse he centred the message around was Colossians 3:17, which reads in the New King James:
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
As always, the Bible sums it up much better than I can.  But Giglio did an excellent job of driving home the point: it is only in vain that we strive to make names for ourselves; our greatest responsibility is to live in such a way that our words, actions, and attitude point to the character of Christ in us.  What that looks like as a career or a calling is variable.  God will call some to be pastors, missionaries, or other full-time ministry workers, while others are intended to do His work in a factory or office setting.  Wherever you are, and whatever your situation, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.  This is truly the Christian's highest calling.
The event closed with the song "How Great is Our God"- a stirring reminder of how unspeakably incredible our Lord truly is, and as such, of the dedication owed to Him.
On the long drive home, I was reminded of something that has jumped out at me in the past: every half an hour, while, driving along any given highway, one is likely to see a cross on the side of the road.  What is it there for?  Obviously, it is to mark the site of a vehicle accident that claimed the life of some unfortunate soul.  We've all seen them, and perhaps we no longer even notice them.  When I look at these crosses, however, I have to ask myself, "Did the person who died in this spot truly believe in the power of the cross, or was this just a nice gesture by the loved ones he or she left behind?"
Years of tradition have led to the cross being a common grave marker; most people, no doubt, quite often fail to connect the cross to the effect it can have on people's lives.  It is ultimately a symbol of the death Christ died for us, and the free gift of salvation we have through Him.  How many crosses mark the graves of people who waited to look to the Christ of the cross until it was too late!
Coming out of the Passion tour, I am left with one overriding concern.  Will the tens of thousands of young adults who attended this event across the world truly live their lives for Christ?  Or will they live according to their own dreams and die unfulfilled, graves marked by the cross they failed to honour?
An emotion-inducing concert, a fiery preacher, and even a night that brings you to your knees are not guarantees that you will live your life in a way that brings glory to God.  It is a choice you must make every day as you are confronted with the challenges of society, temptations of the flesh, and persecutions of the world.  My prayer is that the young men and women who have been ignited for Jesus by this tour will not lose their flame, but go on to be a generation who will truly shine for the cause of Christ- a generation who will bring light to a world grasping hopelessly in the dark.