my footprints

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Looking at this picture just seems to draw me back to recent familiarity. Many of us treat God like a vending machine. We only go to Him when we lack something. Well, I am like that. In fact, something similar did happen quite recently. Yet I could hardly believe what the Lord has done for me.

Three weeks ago, I kind of edited my prayer list. I added a little prayer for a higher level of faith to rise in me. Of course, some of us know that you must really mean it when you present this kind of prayer to the Lord because it is difficult to imagine or understand how He will answer you.

One week later, I was asked to go as a guide for encounter weekend for people whom I do not know at all. I knew that I wasn't ready to support these girls spiritually and emotionally. I felt that I was insufficiently equipped. And there were quite an amount of school work I needed to do for these few weeks. Thus, I tried to turn down the offer. But was challenged to take it up again.

I cried and despaired at the challenge, thinking that my leaders couldn't understand what I was going through emotionally. Even though I was encouraged by my fellow sisters, I still felt that I was inadequate.

That very weekend, God spoke to me during service. He said, "Why do you pray for something that you do not want to claim and receive?". It dawned unto me then. At that very moment, I knelt down on my knees and surrendered.

So I went for encounter weekend with a weak flesh but a convinced heart, anticipating the Holy Spirit to work within me.

Indeed, God is amazing. He blessed me with these girls who are new to Him so that I can guide and show them who He is. He was my teacher and my guide throughout the three days. It was a re-encounter with the Father once again. My girls were ministered by the power of the Holy Spirit and were changed from inside out at the end of this encounter weekend. I was deeply moved.

The presence of the Lord was there with us all the time. From the morning stretching exercise cum prayers to the time when we were up sharing about our struggles in our lives. God gave me opportunities to share my personal testimonies that were similar to their problems. It was His timing and His divine appointment.

The very one thing that I took back from this experience was to act in boldness when exercising my faith. This was a struggle that I faced especially to people whom i'm not close to, not knowing if I have really heard the Holy Spirit's promptings. Yet over the last few days, the Lord has made me more sensitive to hearing Him and provided the increase in my courage & confidence.

Now I can truly say that because of this incident, my faith has been strengthened. Praise the Lord! :)

And how about you? Why not start reviewing and re-adjusing your prayer list to take a bigger step of faith to allow God to take a deeper work in you? It is a season of going deep. Ask for more :)

*p.s. dearest char, i deeply appreciate the lilies. it was a great encouragement. love you loads! *hugs*

she pens down @ 9:44 PM --------------------------------------------------------------