July 10, 2017
I’m sitting here, at my desk, on a beautiful July morning, contemplating all that is stuck in my head, wondering: Where do I begin in order to let it flow out? As I type, a silent prayer floats up to my Father in heaven, asking Him to help…to use this vessel.
The scent of jasmine mixed with green tea brewing in the mug beside my laptop, wafts up into my nose, serving as a reminder of all that is sweet when you live for God. He knows how much I love the scent of jasmine, so ushered the hint of a breeze through my patio door, to encourage the steam toward my face. That is how my God shows me love and gets my attention!
He encourages and sends motivation in quiet moments when desiring my focus to be on Him, yet he knows how scattered my thoughts are as of late. He knows I haven’t a clue exactly where to begin in sharing all the ways He has moved…
So, I’ll begin in the now then work backwards in time through several posts here, until I’ve relayed all the Holy Spirit seems to be urging out of me.
***
I am blessed time off from work this week. Now, mind you, from a financial standpoint I could see it differently but refuse to. God has opened up this time for me to play catch up on things I put aside for His purpose over the last several weeks.
Today I have an opportunity to sow into another sister who is struggling. We met a few Sundays ago at church. On that particular day, a guest pastor delivered the message since our head pastor was in Israel. Afterward, he opened up the altar for prayer.
I went up, less because I needed prayer, more because the Holy Spirit propelled me forth. I soon realized why: He honed me in on a couple of women while up there. One of whom I did not know; she had been “slain in the Spirit” and was on the floor for a really long time. The Holy Spirit kept holding me there, waiting for her to arise…but also because I had a brief word for another sister, with whom I’m acquainted, who was busy with someone. When the woman who’d been “slain” began to sit up, I kneeled down next to her and assisted.
What transpired next is something God keeps showing me is missing from this particular church, on a regular basis: ministering to the hurting. Our church is more of a sending church, which means it is more prone to equip the saints to move out and make disciples. It seems to be missing the component of ministering to it’s own; the pastor does a great job of encouraging us through his sermons, however. Considering I’ve only been attending since late November 2016, and was walking through a lot when I first began, it took me a while to see it. Rather, it took a while for me to be right enough in my heart/spirit for the Holy Spirit to help me recognize the need.
Regardless, it’s a great church that attracts and sustains a strong body of believers who love and serve the Lord in many different callings, around the globe!…And as to everything, there is a purpose under heaven, so too are the reasons (multiple) God moved me to this place of worship!
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4 AMP)
**
That sister, who was slain in the spirit…when she began to stir and move, I heard God tell me she shouldn’t be alone. As I moved near in order to help her sit up, I could sense she was a bit lost in the moment but there was a spirit of heaviness upon her. I asked if she was okay, and tears touched the corners of her eyes…I asked if she would like to talk about what was heavy on her heart, and tears fell as she nodded. As I searched for a box of tissues, I prayed for God to help me hear with His heart and minister to this dear woman, obviously hurting, in His wisdom.
I sat on that floor talking with “D” for as long as she needed. I discovered we had some things in common. The Lord, thankfully, used my personal experience to reach her heart in places that needed to be reached, tenderly pull them out and inject the love of her Lord, Jesus, into those hurting places. The hurt held captive in her eyes didn’t subside, but I was grateful to learn she holds onto the Word of God and believes in it.
“Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek Him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)
She had to get to work so after we prayed together, parted ways…
***
Yesterday (July 9th) after arriving at church, and finding some empty seats, I began to sit down but then spotted “D” a couple rows up. She turned a bit and spotted me as I approached her, then stood to embrace me. I felt led to join her; she said she’d been looking for me. You cannot know how that touched my heart! As I searched her face, the sorrow and heaviness I found before, was still present.
Despite, she worshipped. Unbeknownst to her, through my Spirit language and song, I prayed over her through the loud music. There was no irony that one of my favorite worship songs “Break Every Chain” was included in the set list. I sensed the Holy Spirit ministering to her as tears streamed from her eyes. It was good to see how, despite her emotions she determined to worship through it!
As the music transitioned to announcements, I felt led to offer my phone number and did so, which she gladly accepted in exchanged for her own. However, I sensed a hesitation. After service, she asked if we could have lunch sometime…
***
Today, “D” and I met for lunch. Beforehand, I prayed the Lord would move nothing but his healing love and absolute knowledge through me this afternoon, as I minister to a heart obviously in need of His TLC, sisterly fellowship, and the ear of one who relates to her on more than a superficial level. The Lord supplied me with a message for “D” and he showed me the opening through which to share it during our long conversation. Thankfully, she received it immediately; afterward, it seemed as though a release had occurred in her spirit, helping her understand that God wants nothing more than her happiness!
She admitted she has lacked joy, that she had let a bad attitude creep in through the heartache. I sensed how it troubles her soul and I pray that she allows the message the Lord used me to relay to minister to her spirit. May His love and joy permeate her heart and open her up to the wonderful things God has ahead! For a renewed strength and dependence on Him that will propel her forth into a greater love and calling!
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to break bread and share all the goodness of the Lord, with this sister! To have followed Nehemiah’s advice, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Go Jesus! Go God! Welcome, Holy Spirit!