Night to Shine

Last night was out of the ordinary. Not in a decadent or extravagant way, but an extraordinary one. Surrounded by more than 150 registered participants and 300 registered volunteers, Highlands Church in Scottsdale, AZ partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation to host an event called "Night to Shine".

In this prom-themed event, the special needs ministry highlighted those in attendance to subject them to the mission statement that we are all created in love by love for love by the Lord (Psalm 139:13-14).

IN Love

The first step to attend the event was mandatory sensitivity training. Here, we were presented a slide show regarding basic care and safety plan. At the end of the evening, a short video played, which highlighted a few young adults with special needs reciting Psalm 139:14, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". By the audience's response, the video was successful. The teen and young adult ministry impacted us with their message that they were indeed "wonderfully made" in love.

BY Love

Prom night. All dressed up and ready to go, I was excited to meet my buddy! I had it all planned out in my head, the conversations, how we would hit all the stations, I was excited and ready to volunteer. Then, hitting some of the worst traffic I've ever seen in Arizona, I arrived almost an hour late. Now totally flustered, I felt incompetent and weakened to the core.

When I walked into the prom, God reshaped judgments and hypocrisies I no longer recognized. Mercifully, He tore down barriers and brought me back to love. How Jesus defines this type of love is two-fold: first as "philia" and secondly as "ahava".

The Greek word "philia", is used to define brotherly love between equals and is seen in friendships. An "ahava" type of love is from two root words in Hebrew. The roots of the word are literally 'I give' and 'love'. This type of love comes from the soul and is how Christians are called by Jesus, as an action, to give and receive love.

God superseded my expectations and served me in a way only He can. He took me out of my comfort zone to melt my barriers. On stage, in front of the crowd is exactly where my buddy and I headed. My first thought? Panic. I haven't yet managed to dance in the middle of a circle of friends. It is not my thing. My available response? God's got this. And so do I. Because my buddy needs me, and going on stage is where we're headed. In that moment, my buddy showed me more about love by loving me through my fear than I thought possible. That's true philia, and how ahava can play a double meaning in being a recipient.  

FOR Love

In His gospel, Jesus tells us to let His children come to Him, and is indignant with those who try to stop it (Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:14). The atmosphere at "Night to Shine" spoke to this powerful truth. The entire event was a no-judgment zone. From the dance floor to the karaoke room, love thrived. Where humanity's love thrived in likeness for each other, God's love shone through for His children.

Night to SHINE

We are called to love one another with the type of love depicted here, unabashedly brave and dismissing all judgment. We should be ashamed when we turn others away from this type of love, no matter their outward appearance or physical type, for God exists outside our brokenness and sees what we cannot (1 Samuel 16:7).

Everyone in attendance sent a message about love, and I truly received it. I hope to take what I have learned and share the same message with others. Those in attendance shone bright. It was truly a night to remember, and moreso a Night to Shine.