Recently I attended a conference. The speaker asked something of us that some may have found uncomfortable to do. He asked that we get up from our seats, come forward, and pray with someone we did not know.
As I got up, I eagerly looked for the person God would lead me to, but I was not drawn to anyone standing there. As I scanned the room, I saw a woman sitting in her chair. I questioned if I should approach her. Her facial expression was one of deep contemplation. Perhaps longing for answers and peace.
I asked God if she was the one I was to join within prayer.
As I prayed I observed her stretching out her arms across the empty chair in front of her. She gently placed her head between her arms. I could have reasoned that the opportunity had passed, and I had missed what God was leading me to do. But the moment she laid her head down was the very moment God said, “Go to her and pray over her.”
As I approached the woman I nodded to her husband, sitting next to her, exchanging greetings through our smiles. I gently laid my arms over her and whispered a prayer next to her ear. Her body began to subtly shake as her tears fell to the floor. When I was finished, she prayed a prayer of praise. We both looked up to meet one another for the first time. There were no words needed, just an introduction of names.
She later approached me to thank me again and tell me how she was overwhelmed by God’s presence. I expressed to her that it was not me but God who arranged such a divine appointment. We agreed that what took place in that sacred moment was God’s doing. She knew that I had no way of knowing what I prayed was exactly what she needed from God.
God had something to speak to this precious soul and He chose to speak it through me.
I could have been disobedient because it was uncomfortable for several reasons: She was a stranger to me; She chose to stay seated; Her head was down, and she was in deep thought. I could have doubted that God had spoken to me.
Have you ever been moved by God to do something?
Did you talk yourself out of it?
Did you rationalize your reasoning so you would not feel like you were being disobedient?
It’s in our human nature to meet the desires of our flesh. However, when we spend time with the Lord, seeking His heart, a shift begins to take place. We crave to meet the desires of the Spirit more than the flesh. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
[tweetshareinline tweet=”We are more likely to walk in the Spirit when we remember that what God is leading us to do is not always about us.” username=”2%ukQqq$lkWILoj8bqBlhjaA7sNrEdaa:1:2″]He does not have to use us to do His work, but He chooses to. He uses us so that He may be glorified, exalted, and known.
Friend, I did not share this story with you to boast, but rather to encourage you to not quench the Spirit when He leads you to act on something that is uncomfortable (1 Thessalonians 5:19). God often chooses the weaker vessels to allow His light to shine the brightest.
Sometimes it’s the simplest act of kindness, encouragement, and love that speaks volumes into someone’s life circumstances.
I encourage you to follow through with what the Lord is leading you to do. Even if it looks like it’s too late. Perhaps it’s His perfect timing. I believe the Lord will fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).
I pray that the God of peace equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever (Hebrews 13:20a-21). In Jesus’ name, Amen.
