I’ve been back from Brasil for one week now, and I must say, going from operating all day in the spiritual and supernatural to the mundane physical existence of “normal” American life–it’s been a bit of a downer.
Learned so much about pulling on the Kingdom to allow miracles to manifest in the lives of those who hope in Christ. Let’s face it, anyone who lets you pray for them is hoping in Christ! One of the most memorable teachings I grasped from the recent trip, is to “embrace the mystery”. Being available for the work of the Kingdom, without presuming, just accepting what does or doesn’t come. God doesn’t heal after every prayer, but He wants to. My faith has definitely increased after seeing so many healed, filled with the Holy Spirit, or emotionally healed after praying for them.
Yesterday, I listened to a wonderful teaching by Bill Johnson about operating out of a place of inner rest. The key is to think on Kingdom (eternal, positive) things rather than just planning out how you expect every physical thing to happen. When we truly trust God for every outcome, and realize that He can change our direction at any time, then we can be ready for those small moments of opportunity that really matter.
I half blew it the other day: I was on-time for a 1 pm appointment (driving there), and there was a couple on the side of the road with a sign that said they needed money for gas. The guy was holding a 2-gallon gas can. They were out of money and stuck. I turned around, picked him up, and got him some gas and gave him the $4 I had in cash on me at the time. During the ride, he told me about his wife, she was ill and they needed to drive to Costco to get her medication. I asked if they were saved, (yes). I told them where I go to church and invited them. When I dropped him off, the woman was looking at me, and I remember thinking that she had a hungry look–a hopeless look. I failed to stop, encourage them with words and pray for her healing.
Yes, I got them temporarily un-stuck. But I missed the greater opportunity, because I was not at rest inside. I was more concerned about being a couple minutes late to one of my nicest clients who wouldn’t have cared.
This is just a reminder to not only stop, not only help, but to look hard for the opportunity to bless someone, to hand out the Kingdom goods–or to be the “rich uncle” as Bill says.