Hi everyone! I’m Sydney, and I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend my first SEEK this year. I wasn’t initially able to go, but by the grace of God changed that, and all of a sudden, I was discovering things about God and myself in my second to least favorite state, Missouri.
Honestly, I went into SEEK absolutely terrified and with no idea of what I wanted out of it. There were a few tears shed throughout the week because of this (not the Holy Spirit filled, moved by God kind), but once I let God hold my hand as I navigated around the 20,000 people there, I discovered who I am, and the type of person I want to become.
For me, the most powerful moment of SEEK happened during the Praise & Worship event. As I sat on the floor, with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, I found myself listening to everyone around me proclaiming the beauty of the Lord. In that moment, I realized that God moves in me through music. For the first time that week, I truly felt the Holy Spirit filling my heart and all the anxiety and pain that plagued me dissolved. I sat peacefully with Him for what felt like hours, finally finding His home in my heart once again. I found myself even more drawn to serving His people using the greatest possible gift He could have given to me, music. Singing for God, whether it be for mass, or adoration, or literally anything else, suddenly gained new meaning for me, and it felt like I was granted another purpose in my life. Singing in church stopped being something I do just because people ask me to, or so I can become a church celebrity (which is obviously the better reason). Now, I sing to glorify Him and to guide others towards opening their hearts to God (the best reason).
Another big moment for me during SEEK happened during the first women’s session. It was mentioned that from birth, everyone depends on the help of others. God himself chose to come to Earth as a helpless little baby, one of the most vulnerable forms possible. Through this, we can see that needing and depending on others isn’t weakness; it’s nature, and it’s beautiful. I learned that it’s okay to rely on other people to lift you from the pits you find yourself stuck in, and even more importantly, it’s okay to leave yourself in God’s hands. The hardest battles can always be won when you allow God to be your shield, and the best way to live life is by letting God walk you through it.
Finally, I would like to give a quick shout out to the wonderful people that drove in the “mom van” straight back to Colorado after the conference. Thank you for saving me from the state of Nebraska. I feel like I’ve gained four new brothers, and that 15-hour journey was, put simply, swoodal.
swoodal (adj) – something that is incredible, amazing, life changing, and good for the soul.