I would like to think it’s a pretty noble thing when you want to go all out for God. When you know He’s asking you to do something and you say “Yes, Lord” vowing to do it with extravagance, grace, and flare. Then out of nowhere all eyes are on you and you’re about to just wow everyone in Jesus’ Name, and then God changes the plans on you.
That’s what happened today at an old folks home with the sweetest little old women. Jenna gave the gospel. Michelle filled in the ladies about how the way to the Father is not through works but through accepting His sacrifice. Sylvia gave a short synopsis of heaven and hell. And then there was me.
[I am on the far right.]
Pastor had already asked if someone could be the voice of truth in asking if anyone wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts. The altar call. He had already argued with a woman who considered herself to be spiritual about her half-truths and wrong beliefs with love and the floor was all mine.
One could say I gave a short little sermon about how easy it is to just accept the love that the Lord has for us, that you can be loved your WHOLE LIFE but until you acknowledge that love nothing in you or around you will change. Trying to be as pastoral as I could and taking notes from some of my favorite preachers I spoke with eloquence and kindness to these little old firecrackers aged 75-98.
The time came to offer up a small prayer for them to say, said Pastor, and without even hearing what he said clearly I jumped at the opportunity to give my best-crafted string of words to God. A prayer that would impress everyone. I got not even a sentence into the prayer when Pastor Yavor stopped me. “Paige, could you say something small and easy for them to repeat so they can accept Jesus?”
It was at that moment I was thankful for the language barrier. A slight buffer that Pastor could tell me to slow down and to just make things straightforward and uncomplicated before I continued in a way that was much too complex.
God didn’t need that. Right now He needed simple.
Heck, God always needs the simple.
In that moment I was merely the mouth that He would speak out of and nothing more. My ability didn’t matter. Not how good I could convince someone. Not my actions. Not my pretty words. Not even the love I had for Jesus, it was just about being willing and simple.
Four or five women mumbled those sweet, simple words today as I asked them to join me in letting the Savior of the world penetrate their souls and clean up their lives giving them the promise of eternal life in such a broken world. Those women had their lives changed forever and no longer have to fear death. They get to spend eternity in Heaven with the Father. No words to describe but to say it was incredibly giving to me.
The most natural thing I ever did was speak what I know to be the truest truth from my mouth and into their hearts. I know the saints were celebrating with us, but to be honest it felt just like that: simple.
Simplicity is key my friends. Simplicity and obedience.
I would go on to pray with this little old lady, just the two of us, and in her language she told me she had accepted Jesus Christ into her heart. Pastor said later, “Her face has changed, Paige and she wants me to tell you that her soul is with Jesus.”
The first time I have EVER led someone to Christ. All because of God telling me to be simple.
