Our last day in Thailand, all I have on my mind is how wonderful the sun feels on my skin.
Me and my friend Brittany are laying out by the pool in hopes that if we get a little darker, we won’t stand out so much in Central America. It is so peaceful & comfortable…no interruptions, except the distant conversation of two Italian men in the back. But we aren’t here to be comfortable. When People interrupt our lives, we have to make room for the Holy Spirit to interrupt theirs. And that’s exactly what happened!
His name is Walter. He is about 60 years old. And he jumped in the pool with all his clothes on! I thought that was strange at first, but then when he pops up and Brittany says, “Hey Walter!” like they have been friends for years! He’s taken aback, and asks if he knows us. Brittany told him that he did, and that they spoke yesterday. He blames his age and continues to talk to us! Then he stares me straight in the eyes and tells me I’m beautiful. I told him thank you, and he tells me I look like his niece. He brings up religion very quickly and does about 98% of the talking. He then told us that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore so we said okay.(I’m asking God what he wants me to tell the man, but He hasn’t responded yet.) Walter brings up religion, again. (My spirit stirs and says something doesn’t make sense here. Something is wrong. I ask God again, “What is it that you want me to say?” No answer.) Walter is very distracted yet very much in the conversation. He then takes his shirt over his head like a child, and tells us it would be a great picture. (God speaks to me. I didn’t not want to believe it. I’m not equipped. This is something I hear in stories from great leaders that I look up to! God…it can’t be! This man can’t be possessed by a spirit!?) Walter goes under the water, and I turn to Brittany and tell her what God has just told me!! She nods!
Now what?
What’s next God?
Just yesterday, I told You that I would listen to You and respond, even when it was hard.
NOW THIS?
No.
I’m scared.
I can’t.
He says, “I know you can’t, but I CAN.”
Walter swims towards us. I say his name, and he looks at me intently!
He says, “yes?”
I ask him, “Do you want to be free?”
He says, “I am free.”
“No, Walter, do you know who Jesus is?” I ask.
He responds, “yes.”
So I tell him, “Walter, then it’s your choice if you want to be free! You just have to tell the spirit to leave, and then choose Jesus!” Walter proceeds to mock me…saying words, but not meaning them, and making fun of it.
Sometimes it’s hard when we don’t see the fruit. I wasn’t surprised by the fact that God knew that I didn’t think I could cast out a demon, but why didn’t he allow it to happen? These are the hardest lessons, yet I realize that God wanted me to know that He is still God! He is still good…even when things don’t make since.
