Every month, outside of what the Lord is showing me and teaching me through the places I go and the ministry I do, He also has been teaching things about myself as well as my walk with Him This month, the thing the Lord has been really pressing into me, is His amazing power and how we as Christians can do miraculous things in His name.
As I was learning about this stuff, the first thing that came to my mind was healing. Ever since having my eyes opened at training camp that we as humans, with the Lord, can do supernatural healing, I have believed it can happen, but was still somewhat skeptical. As I was learning more and more about God “flexing His muscles” through humans, I instantly thought that the Lord was going to use our team to bring healing to someone this month in the Philippines. However, the Lord has a funny way of changing our perceptions when we think that we have Him figured out.
To fully understand this story, I need to tell you a little about my past. I have struggled with knee and ankle problems for several years now. After playing football, I developed tendonitis in both knees, which constantly bothered me for years. I also had severe ankle problems that for a long time caused me to wear ankle braces when running and caused severe pain when I would run. On top of that, this past March I tore my hamstring and was unable to run for about 5 months. Leaving in August I was probably about 80%. In El Salvador I re-activated the tendonitis in my knee and ankle, causing me not to be able to once again run.
Coming into this month I was feeling fairly well and when I found out that we were living near a basketball court I was pumped. Most morning consisted of Travis, Bryan and myself playing some basketball. One day about a week ago as we were playing, I went up for a shot and as I came down rolled my ankle very badly. It swelled up a decent amount and left me limping around the rest of the week. I felt the Lord telling me to have the team pray over my ankle, but I have always been a stubborn person when it comes to injuries and sickness so, I suppressed those feelings (not realizing this is what the Lord has been teaching me all month about His amazing power).
On Saturday we went to Navotas, a very poor city to spend the weekend. Still limping a little, as we were walking there, I stepped up an incline, causing all of my weight along with my pack to be put on my bad ankle (not the best idea). This left me barely able to move and wouldn’t you know it right when we get to the church we are staying at, they are having a party with 250 of the local children, which any other day would be heaven for me. I tried to play with the kids as much as possible but it was very hard, not really being able to even stand.
That night in team time, they asked how everyone’s day was. I voiced how frustrated I was because I couldn’t play with the children like I wanted because of my ankle and I was also frustrated because I couldn’t function. Right away several people said they felt that we needed to pray for it. I humbly agreed and my team took hold of my ankle and prayed fervently for healing in my ankle. I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence come but needless to say afterwards my ankle felt the same.
The next morning as I woke up, the Lord decided to rock my stubborn little mind. My ankle was completely healed! When I say healed, I don’t mean just a little less sore, a little less swollen, I am talking completely healed. Not only that but my knees and hamstring felt better then they have ever felt. An injury that should have kept me off of my feet for weeks was gone overnight. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! The guys at the church wanted to play basketball with us and they said I probably shouldn’t because of my ankle but I said “no way we’re doing it.” I went and played basketball with no problems and felt amazing.
The Lord has been teaching me about how He shows His power in miraculous ways. I knew He was going to show it through me, but I never thought that it would be to me! Why would I ever doubt my God? Why would I ever be so stubborn to not fully turn over everything to Him when I know He can do all things? Never again! God still works miracles everyday, there is no reason to ever doubt what He will and will not do. Do not limit our God!
