Obedient to God

My husband, Mike, recently experienced a God-Encounter which I would like to share with you. This electrifying experience was without a doubt the move of God!

He was with a small group of men talking about their faith when the pastor came into their meeting and announced that he had a wonderful opportunity for them. He shared that another church 30 minutes’ drive away was gathering supplies for Hurricane Florence victims in the Wilmington, NC area. They had a contact who worked at a “sister” church there and knew first-hand the desperate needs of those people. They needed supplies NOW! The pastor asked if any of the men would like to take on this project. (This occurred on a Tuesday, and the supplies had to be at the other church on Saturday.)

Mike was thinking that they should do something. As he sat there during the discussion, he heard each man state why he couldn’t take this on due to other commitments and the short “turn-around” time. By this time, Mike began to experience physical symptoms - a churning stomach, a rushing wind in his ears so that he could not hear what was being said, and almost like a helping hand standing him upright. He told the others that he had to do this and went to get the details from the pastor.

Within an hour, Mike had bought canned goods with a $25.00 gift certificate donated from the local grocery store. An email had been sent out to church members and to another social group who met on Wednesday nights to bring canned goods. By Saturday, the back of our SUV was full of donated food. It was delivered and added to the accumulating donations.

Looking back on this experience, Mike knew that God was in control of this encounter and would work everything out perfectly. He had that “knowing” - that intuitive understanding. God certainly meant for Mike to take care of this request and made sure that he didn’t miss this opportunity to serve. (Have you ever asked God to make something abundantly clear so you don’t miss it? This was CLEAR!)

Our God is an action God! He physically lifted Mike out of his chair to act. He sent the rushing wind into Mike’s ears, so he would not/could not hear what the others were saying, which could have discouraged him from acting. Mike knew he had no other option but to be obedient, and he was. You see, God had already paved the way for these donations to take place, but he needed someone to be obedient.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. (KJV)

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. (NIV)

When God chooses us to take on a short-term project or a long-term mission, he will let us know in ways that we cannot miss. The “ways” will be different for each of us, but it is up to us to be obedient to the true path-director of our lives - our Creator God! Hallelujah!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel