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Laying it All Down: Go Week Day Three
The last day of Go Week started, once again, at eight in the morning. As over two hundred college students began eating their breakfast an excitement filled the air. This excitement was from thoughts of sleeping in the next morning, the delicious breakfast they were eating, but mostly the excitement was for what was to come that night, the FSU Luau.
Once again Dan Butz lead the students in an inspirational devotional after breakfast by saying exactly what he felt lead to say. This morning the students were challenged by examining Daniels faith in Daniel 2:1-30. Butz narrowed down Daniels monstrous leap of faith to four steps that each student could take with them throughout the day, and throughout situations within their life. The steps went as follows: Daniel got to know the situation, Daniel took a monstrous leap of faith, Daniel gathered his friends and prayed, and Daniel praised God. Reading through Daniel 2 everyone was able to clearly see the humbling example that Daniel set for each of us.
After this groups were divided up for the last time to pray and then to go. Each group seemed to play a different part in the efforts of reaching the campus, as they all went out to accomplish a different task. As most of the freshman had been moved in only a few groups went out to help move in while others went to play ultimate Frisbee on Landis Green, chalk the sidewalks to let people know about the Luau that night, pass out Luau flyers and some even passed out free snow cones to anyone walking by.
Everyone piled in at noon promptly for lunch eager to discover if their efforts had been enough over the past days which they find out that night. As another amazing lunch was prepared by our precious cooks, announcements began to be made regarding the afternoon. The students found out that the group that had been passing out fliers were pleasantly surprised when every single person that they came across was able to inform them all the details regarding the Luau and that they were going to attend. Each student had given their all, and hours before the Luau even began God made Himself known in huge ways. Every student was given a break until five thirty when dinner shift one and set up shift one would begin.
The Luau was to be held on the Union Green outside of Ogelsby Student Union. Last year the Luau accommodated over 400 students, and this year everyone had faith that the number would be increased. This event was to be completely free to anyone and everyone as a way to build relationships and to reach out. When students began to arrive they quickly ate dinner and began to help set up each aspect of the Luau. Each of the twelve organizations had a table to be set up that would work as a ministry opportunity to reach out to each student. Different food trucks from around the Tallahassee area set up stations to pass out free samples, along with an assortment of Papa John’s pizzas and Chick-Fil-A brownies. A rock wall was brought into the green, as well as an inflatable obstacle course, and other inflatable games. A stage was also set up to host musicians and to announce hundreds of dollars in free giveaways throughout the night. Other activities were set up within the Union and around it including the activities from the nights before, and even a photo booth station. When it all came together Gods sovereignty and power was clear.
At seven thirty the Luau began half an hour early due to people swarming the check in tables wanting to sign in, receive a lay, and to get started. By eight that night, the time the Luau was supposed to begin, the place was packed. All twelve of the ministry tables were filled with students asking questions and receiving information. FSU Luau shirts were hardly seen by the crowds of people, but what was seen was never a Luau shirt talking to another Luau shirt. Each student who gave their time knew the opportunity that they had before them and grabbed it with both hands as they constantly met new people and started building those relationships. Before the night was up all the food had been given away and each ministry table had passed out everything they had to give. The harvest was proving to be plentiful.
As the night came to a close at midnight everyone, although exhausted, was beyond excited for what had just happened as they began to clean everything up. The clean up process needed to be perfect to make sure that the University knew the respect that was held for them and the thankfulness to have been allowed on the campus to have an event for the students. After cleanup the students gathered and it was announced that over 3,000 students had signed in and that 3,500 were probably in attendance. There are no words other than praise to our Father for his power, sovereignty, wisdom, and mercy. He placed a calling within each individual and they answered by the faith and courage that He supplied. The night ended with humbled adoration for Him.
The Florida State staff that Go Week worked through to have the Luau event were amazed. Immediate talks of next year’s Luau began, and more space was promised. Praise to our Lord for their excitement for the upcoming years in working with these organizations and for allowing each person to shine His light to them.
This week would not have been possible without the continued support and sacrifices of each and every leader. Thanks could not be shown enough to each of them. The students of Florida State as well as adults and Christians everywhere can look up to each of these men of God as they followed after Daniels monstrous leap of faith. They started the revolution. Praise the Lord for each person who stepped out and helped in any way throughout this week, praise Him for the courage and faith given to each. This week also would not have been possible without our prayer warriors. They were heard and they were answered. Praise be to God for each person who uplifted Go Week 2011 in His name.
Go Week 2011 does not end tonight. It started the revolution at Florida State. The revolution continues on in His name. Please continue to pray for our campus that each heart is broken for what breaks His, and each eye is opened to what He sees. Pray for the continuation of spirits being humbled in complete adoration to Him.
Praise be to our King, praise be to Him.