March 10, 2006

I wondered if the timing of the invitation might be a little early in the series. So I prayed, “God, please let us hear what you want said.” The speaker wondered if his awkwardness meant that he had spoken ineffectively. Greg and Nancy (names changed) raised their hands during prayer as a commitment gesture to prepare for baptism.

I don’t know how Greg and Nancy will grow from here. Their future is not the point of this reflection, although their future is very important to me and I pray for them daily. Would you? My point is that God works independently of our feelings about how life is progressing. My emotions do not define reality.

This week four people experience the same event very differently. Both the speaker and myself were uncomfortable with parts of the altar call made at our prophecy series. Yet it was just what was needed to be said for Greg and Nancy. They represented a ripe harvest. Fruit is ready to pick when it is ripe. So with people in their spiritual journey.

I’m reminded that all around me are individuals who are recipients of the Holy Spirit’s influence. His divine power is working behind the scenes. He is convicting, wooing and transforming lives before our eyes. We have the privilege of participating in His growth and of encouraging others in theirs. We can also revert into our own private worlds and let the blessings of engagement pass us by.

I guess I’m hearing God say to me this week, “Get over yourself and give Me credit for doing things you don’t even think or imagine. Have faith that I will do what I have promised.” OK, I can do that.

“You know the saying, ‘One person plants and someone else harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest." John 4:37-38

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve