On Sunday night, my team survived a natural disaster. There was a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in the beach town we are currently living in, and the epicenter was a mere 16 miles away. Our world was shaken, and we all walked away from it with just a single broken mirror in damages.
The Lord’s hand of protection was so evident over this town and our team in that moment, which I am so grateful for. This earthquake (which was the largest earthquake I’d ever experienced, even though I come from Japan where they are commonplace), taught me a lot about the power and the sovereignty of our God.
An earthquake is completely unexpected. I had no way of knowing as I lay in my bed that night that I would soon experience one of the largest earthquakes of my life. Even if I had known, I would have been able to do nothing to prevent it. They happen, and we have no control over it. Sometimes earthquakes are just small tremors, only felt by a few, and other times they shake and tremble and rattle, and everyone feels it. There’s no denying it.
Sometimes, when the Lord moves, it is similar to an earthquake.
A few weeks ago, our team experienced a miracle of the Lord in the shape of a spiritual breakthrough. What started as a game of “step on the bus” turned into a time where hearts were healed, eyes were opened, burdens were lifted, and light chased away darkness. When I woke up on this particular morning, I had no way of knowing that God was going to move so mightily that afternoon.
I couldn’t have orchestrated it.
I couldn’t have planned it.
But when He moved, everyone felt it. It was like a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that no one could deny had happened.
So many times though, I find myself trying to put the Lord into a box of what I expect He should do and when I think is a good time to do it. “Hey God, now would be a good time for you to change some hearts, don’t you think?” or “Why haven’t you moved yet? Time is running out” are some thoughts that have run through my head on occasion. I think I know better than God. But reality is, I have no idea! He is sovereign and He moves whenever and however He wants to.
When Holy Spirit moves, it’s as natural and as powerful as an earthquake. His power is undeniably felt by everyone present and holy fear is sparked in hearts. It’s unexpected. It’s uncontrolled. It’s uncontained. God can move whenever He wants, wherever he wants, however he wants, and in whomever he wants. 1 kings 19:11-12 says, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
Sometimes the Lord is in a quiet whisper. But sometimes He is in the earthquake.
God is teaching me to stop trying to control things that I have no control over. God is the one who moves and changes hearts, not me. I need to be obedient to the leading of the Spirit and then get out of His way so He can do His thing. The Holy Spirit is like the wind, which blows wherever it pleases (John 3:8).
I am grateful for earthquakes that remind of the power of my God. I am grateful for moments of pure Holy Spirit that remind me that His ways are so much higher than my ways. And I am grateful for God choosing to let me be a part of what He is doing in this team and in this town.
The Lord is working in powerful ways here- in my own heart and in the lives of those around me, and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Expect the unexpected. In Christ, Cindy
