Yesterday, 7.30pm
Hillsong United in Malaysia.
The venue was SIB KL in a tightly packed sanctuary. The atmosphere was alive with excitement and expectation as thousands (a literally full and perhaps almost overflowing sanctuary: the area in front of the stage was packed, much less the seats) waited for the concert to begin.
There I was, with a few of the KDU CF students and friends, right smack in the front of the stage area. Above, full; behind, full; left, full; right, full. It was an evening that will for always echo in the corridors of my memory ...
A 45 minute wait
We (about 10 of us) arrived at SIB KL at 6.30 pm plus. Wanting to quickly make our way to the fifth floor where the concert was to be held, we waited for elevators. We were told subsequently that the elevators may be too slow and that we'd have a better chance of arriving 'earlier' if we took the stairs.
Huh? 5 floors up?
Walked and walked, up and up. I was slightly out of breath at the 4th floor (and the concert had not started yet ... haha).
Upon our arrival at the 5th floor, we were greeted by an already full waiting area outside the main sanctuary. Wow ... we took our places in line and waited and waited. All around us were people, young and the not so young (I think I was in a middle category, hahah). Time passed and still people were coming in. I had heard that the tickets were sold out, so it was not surprising. People even had to line up in the stairwells.
Eventually they let us in at about 7.30pm.
The Hills are alive ... with the sound of (praise and worship) music
Officially the concert started after 8pm. We were there to see the group live but more importantly, we were there, whether we were aware of it or not, to meet with God.
The concert opened with huge songs, including 'One Way' (yes, it may be an older song of theirs, but to me, one of the best that evening. Guys ... I am still waiting for the reward ... ahem hehe). People began to sing their lungs out and jumped and jumped. You will not see as much dancing in clubs, I think, and the floor was literally moving.
This old-er guy, all of 29 years, gave it my all too as I jumped and jumped with the throng of worshippers, raising our voices to defeaning levels to praise and worship our Lord Jesus. Songs came and went, but the crowds matched the group on stage with levels of sky high enthusiam. I have not jumped so much ... I am still reeling from the exertion (hahah), but it was worth it ... every single moment.
Worshipping Jesus 'From the inside out'
The majority of the songs were new-er to me as I am much more of a Hillsong listener rather than a Hillsong United listener. Still that did not stop me singing and praising God. Wow, the experience was so fresh and exciting. I literally shouted praises and prayers to Jesus and my Heavenly Father. Among the 'highlights' (songs that I enjoyed singing most) were One Way, King of Majesty (I really sang and sang to this), Take it all and the (almost sure to be) anthemic From the Inside Out (see my earlier post on the CF camp, it was one of the highlighted songs).
Thank You Lord Jesus for helping me to truly praise You.
Also we sang powerfully to snippets of classics like Our God reigns and also the newer Chris Tomlin favourite worship song 'How great is our God'. And we shouted God's victory through so many other songs ... I am sure the spiritual realms were shaken and probably God's angels sang with us too. :)
All in all, this old-er guy had a spectacular time in worshipping and in rededication to Jesus.
Truly 'All the Heavens shout Your praise ... beautiful is our God, the universe will sing, Hallelujah to You our King'.
What's next?
Lord Jesus, please help me to build on what You have and are doing in me and through me that truly ALL praise and honour will go to You, to be faithful to You and to love You and others as much as You love me. Amen.
Ok, who is coming to bless Malaysia next? Heheh ...
I bless You God.
God bless you all.
