“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that this man; whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows; was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-8
We are a week past Easter today. HE is Risen! Are those three words still lingering on your lips and in your heart? There were many believers in PAP who were still not able to worship in their churches yesterday because of violence in their neighborhoods. There were many unbelievers in PAP who were not able to hear the Hope filled message of Easter as they too, were afraid to leave their homes.
I read a devotion recently that shared four points to give Hope to the reader and then be passed along to others who are waiting for a message filled with HOPE. Waiting and trusting. First, when God prepares us for sharing a message of Hope, He includes what we would rather omit; a period of waiting. That period of time cultivates patience. Aren’t we all in a hurry?
Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we're not indispensable. That makes us humble. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we're not the star attraction. We're not indispensable. It’s not about us. That realization cultivates genuine humility. Third, while God hides us away waiting, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding His desires for our ministry. That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people. A far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry. Always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him. And finally, fourth, when God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified. That makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise. It's refreshing, that in this highly efficient age, to find a few humble servants who are still amazed at the way God is using them. We wait as the chaos in Haiti continues to rumble and trust that God is in control there and here. He’s all over this…in His time.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay