Yesterday, the CCP team and I were on a public bus headed to work a soccer like tournament (futsol) that we were going to be volunteering at for the day. We partnered with the church that we have been attending since here in Singapore. It was awesome to hang out all the guys and just love on and serve all the teams who came out to play in the tournament. I was so encouraged to see Covenant church put on events like this in their local communities.
Anyway, as I was riding on the bus, I was standing waiting for our stop to come up, when a man entered and struggled with his cane to make it to a seat where he could sit and rest for just a moment. The man did not appear to be all that old (probably in his 50's) but there was something obvious to all who saw him that he was in great pain and could not even sit still for a moment as he would reach and stretch to find some position that would even offer a hint of lesser pain. Now, I would not describe myself in the least bit as charismatic, nor would anyone who knows me, but there was no doubt inside of me, the Holy Spirit was challenging me to go over and ask this man if I could lay a hand on him and pray for him. At first I thought it was my timidity that kept me from journeying over to this man, or maybe the excuse of not wanting to offend this man or any of the many different religious persons on this bus by publicly and verbally praying for this man.
For the rest on the day, I wrestled with and pondered why I acted timidly when I know that I have not been given a Spirit of timidity but one of power (2 Timothy 1:7). Late that afternoon, the Lord hit me with the reality of the truth of why I kept silent. I genuinely believe that every word of mine in prayer God hears. I completely believe that as I confess sin that He hears me and is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). I wholeheartedly believe that He can do immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). My fight is to believe that when I come to the Lord and ask Him for things, like to raise up laborers, or to heal random men on a bus, or any other thing, that my prayer actually effects whether or not God chooses act. We all, with myself definitely included all say that we believe in prayer, but I challenge you to examine your heart as to whether you consistently do it out of consistency, tradition, duty, or is it out of worship, compassion for those your praying for, and true belief that the Lord, King of Kings, our Heavenly Father not only hears us, but will answer.
I have been so convicted of how religion and performance are constantly in my life. Thank goodness that God is even faithful and stronger than my religion and tradition to forgive. It reminds me of Isaiah 64:6
"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment"
I would ask you all to pray for me and be reminded at the same time that for believers, we have been adopted into the family of God. I'm so thankful He chooses to use language like family, and chooses to call Himself, "our Father". Pray that as I seek to trust Him for to work in my life (growing my heart for Him and the things He loves and hate for the things that He hates) and through my life, I would pray expectantly knowing the God of creation hears my voice and longs to be intimate with me and provide for His children. I love yall! The church in Singapore (body of believers) is multiplying. For God is making a name for Himself among the nations.
