The Sound of Hope
Erin Burnell, Shopwell Supervisor
There is something beautiful that happens at The WellHouse on Wednesdays. If you've been by on a Wednesday, it's likely you've caught a glimpse of what I mean. Wednesdays are when we have our ShopWell workdays, and the administration building is bustling with lots of lively activity. Our ShopWell Apprentices are doing anything from rolling clay for prayer crosses, to making bracelets, to making candles. Sometimes all at once. Making all of the beautiful handmade items that we sell in ShopWell. Each piece is made with love and care, and I think they are all so beautiful. But I wish that you could see what makes them so much more beautiful, so much more special. I truly believe each piece carries with it the hope of Jesus. And it's because of what is happening while these pieces are being made.
When I first experienced it, it completely caught me off guard. You see, while the ladies are making bracelets, they play worship music. Oh, boy! Do we play worship music! We play it... and sometimes we get carried away and play it a little too loudly. But the ladies aren't just listening. They are singing and worshipping. From the bottom of their hearts. From a place of such love and purity that it takes my breath away.
I know that in my walk with the Lord there have been different worship songs that have really ministered to my heart for different seasons. For The WellHouse ladies, the song of this season is “Gold” by Jesus Culture.
The first time I heard it come on during a workday that I was sitting in my office with my door half open while the ladies were busy working in the main room. When that song came on you could feel something shift. You could feel the tangible presence of the Lord. It was so heavy that I couldn't move from my chair as I listened to the ladies sing with all of their hearts in the other room. "You see what's hidden under the surface. You see the beauty under the tarnish. You refine in fire what you call gold....Find me here in your presence. I'm not leaving the same. Let your refining fire purify me again. Let the weight of your glory, bring me back to my knees. Oh, God come with revival! You can start it in me!"
With tears in my eyes, I managed to pull myself out of my chair after the chorus was sung once. I had to go into the room with them because I didn't want to miss the moment. Some of them were so moved by the power of the presence of the Lord that they stopped what they were doing. Eyes closed. Hands raised. Fully surrendered. Fully experiencing the presence of the Lord. Full of faith, embracing the words, "Oh, God come with revival! You can start it in me!"
It was the most pure and beautiful moment. But do you know what's even better? It happens every time that song is played! Voices are raised and praise is lifted. The weight of the world is set aside for a moment while the weight of the glory of the Lord does what only He can do.
The Lord is reminding them that He sees everything that has been hidden under the surface. He doesn't miss a thing! And He's not leaving them the same! It's the truth of the Gospel and the hope of Jesus that reminds them, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is a joy and an honor to be a part of The WellHouse and have the opportunity to look into the eyes of God's children and remind them that they are chosen, holy, and set apart in Christ- regardless of what the world has told them and in spite of the depths of darkness they have experienced.
When I came to work at The WellHouse I had hoped that I would be able to do what the Lord has called me to do- to be a light for these precious women and show them the love of Jesus. I never expected them to minister to me so powerfully. But isn't that how the Lord works? It's a beautiful thing when we step out and partner with Him. Our act of obedience, our yes, creates opportunities to see the Lord in ways that we never imagined!
So, when you hear all of the noise and commotion on Wednesdays, come on in and sing with us! The WellHouse is a place of grace. It is a place of healing. And if you step inside, you just might get an opportunity to hear the sound of hope.