Vita

by Angelo
(Colorado, USA)

Life had become quite a rollercoaster these last few months, often times finding myself teetering on the edge of giving up and giving in. My grades weren?t doing so well. Small matters with family seemed like mountains. My frustration with not having my video equipment was growing. And my relationship with God felt like vaporizing water on a hot summer day. While everything around me seemed to fail, a flame of hope yet remained in my heart as I prepared for an awesome and powerful weekend at a national youth conference called Acquire the Fire.

At Acquire the Fire? or ATF as we call it? over 15,000 young people from Colorado and surrounding states come to fellowship, praise, worship, and learn how to live like Jesus in our time and world today. This year, an astonishing band known as Unhindered led us into an amazing worship experience which never fell short of bringing people to tears. Undoubtedly, God had showed up and showed out, and I was glad to have experienced it. Many things I had been struggling with as a young Christian were discussed at the conference, followed by solutions to better aid me in my godly journey. With new methods and God?s forgiveness, compassion, and encouraging words, I felt renewed and ready to continue the fight for my generation.

During the conference, a short video for children in need was played from Compassion International, followed by a guest speaker giving more information and his personal testimony. Just a few years ago, Compassion had shown a similar video at ATF and requested young people to sponsor a child for just $32 a month. My heart desired to give, but I couldn?t because I had no income. Now years later, the opportunity to sponsor a child had come around. I was ready. With excitement surging throughout my veins, I asked a few youth to choose a child from the sponsorship table. Taking the packet of the child they had chosen, my heart melted at the little girl wearing a yellow dress in the photo. Her name is Devita, but I call her Vita for short. As soon as I got paid that following week, I put the necessary funds into the envelope and placed it in my mailbox.


A few months back, I heard this lady at a friend?s church say something that has stuck with me ever since:

?When the storms rage, don?t focus on the destruction. Learn how to dance in the rain.?

I encourage everyone who is reading this right now to look and operate beyond your struggles or situation. I felt within my spirit that I was called to be disciplined each month and give $32, if not more, to a child I barely know because I am a child of God and He has been good to me. I could have used that money for other things I deem important, but I didn?t. I know and want you to know that, no matter your situation, God wants you to be strengthened by whatever you are experiencing. Always remember that He never gives us too much bare. Today, wherever you are or whoever you are with, sing a song and dance in the rain.