Today was the day. We prepared mentally for it yesterday
because we knew it would be tough. It was almost like we were headed into
battle. Some stayed back because they didn’t know if they could handle it. As
we walked closer and closer the oppression got greater and greater. We put on
our armor and prayed before entering. Up, up, up 300 steps and we finally made
it in.
Out of breath I looked around. Gold, smoke, flowers, and
people everywhere. I felt the oppression and didn’t stop praying. This was war.
How do you fight a spiritual war like this? Worship. So we sang. We walked to
the edge and declared “Jesus reign in this country, in this city, Jesus
reign!!” Could idols fall because the presence of God was with us? Could He
change this 99% Buddhist country? I believed and so I spoke. I spoke things
into being. I declared that this place would be taken back for the kingdom and
the King of all Kings would be the only one worshipped.
It was time to go in deeper. Shoes off and spirit ready we
headed up a few more stairs. Wow. I had never seen so much gold before in my
life. I had never been in such a place where the name of Jesus was nowhere to
be found. It was a place where people bowed low to dead in graven statues. I
was in shock. Is this real life? Nobody is home. These statues are dead don’t
you know? Can’t you see? I just don’t get it.
What would happen if I screamed “JESUS!!!!!” What would
happen if I started preaching about Him? Every ounce of me wanted to. Why not?
Would they escort me out? Would I upset people? It didn’t matter I had to do
something.
We worshipped the Lord of Lord’s while we observed others walking
around absolutely oblivious to whom they were holding the flowers for or why
they were bowing down. I started praying for the foreigners passing by me
wanting the “experience”. As I sat there I heard the Lord tell me to get up.
Prayer and worship was great but He wanted me to do something about this! Yes
sir I said without hesitation and stood to my feet. I walked around asking Him
to show me who/what/when/where.
Then I saw him. He was searching for something. Jesus told
me to go talk to him but immediately doubts and hesitations crowded my mind. I
don’t know what to say. That would be awkward if I go talk to him. Where is his
wife? I don’t want to talk to a man etc. So I kept walking. I came around a
corner and there he was again seated on a step. “Go!” I heard plain and clear.
I walked towards him as if to say something then coward to the right in
avoidance. I made my way around the pole where he was resting and nonchalantly
sat down. What to say what to say. I had nothing. I sat their waiting and
searching for his wife to be near by. I would rather talk to her. But maybe he
is alone?
“Are you going to talk to him?” asked the Lord.
“I don’t know what to say” I replied.
“Did I not tell you I would give you the words?” the Lord
said firmly.
Shoot. I had nothing to reply. He had promised He would take
this from me. After all it is He who gave me this idea to minister and call men
up. It wasn’t me. It would have to be Him who does the ministering.
I went through first liners like I was meeting a cute boy
for the first time. I was so nervous and shoot I didn’t even know if he spoke
English. Pretty day huh? What do you think about all of this? Where are you
from? Just a few normal pick up lines right? 🙂 Next thing I knew he got up.
Well great… I missed the opportunity. I pulled the whole, “Lord if he comes back
I will open this mouth of mine.”
Next thing I knew he was sitting back down. “That was kind
of you,” I awkwardly said. He had just taken a picture of a family and those
words just happened to fly out of my mouth. Whew. I broke the ice and it wasn’t
so bad. He talked back which was an added bonus.
His name was Jake from California. He was traveling Asia
alone for a few weeks. We laughed and talked about the culture and renting
motorcycles. It was so fun. I could have sat and talked to him longer but it
was time to go. I couldn’t leave without telling him about my best friend.
I told him how Jesus Christ has radically changed my life.
How the Lord spoke to me telling me to talk to Jake. How that’s my God! He is
alive unlike these statues we are looking at. He walks and talks with me daily.
He is all you need. He loves you Jake. So much so that He sent this girl from
Texas to tell you.
He thanked me for sharing and we parted ways. Sad? NO WAY!!!
Ahhh you would have thought the entire temple had accepted Christ! I was on
cloud nine. It clicked.
I obey and He will do the rest. It is my job to plant and
water but He is the one who causes the growth. It is my job to pray and worship
in the midst of the battle. That is how “Rescuing John” will be successful. I
just get to listen to the Lord then act. It starts with the one. It starts with
Jake.
