We have safely arrived in Cusco, Peru after five days of travel. Getting here was not an easy trek, but my excitement for what this month will hold overcame the drudgery. God allowed an attack by the devil to spur on that excitement.
This morning I read Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with God. In the time leading up to that night, he was living in fear of his brother. In that fear, God didn’t make things easier but he wrestled with and dislocated Jacob’s hip. Jacob didn’t give up, but his relentless faith prevailed and he received a blessing from the Lord. But the part that really strikes me and I can relate to is verse 3 in the next chapter. That next morning Jacob’s faith was strengthened, fear was not overtaking him. He faced his brother head on. God uses the difficult nights to mold, shape, and encourage us for the days ahead.
Before making our way to Peru, this became very real for me. Satan has been active, trying to discourage me and my squad from what the Lord has for us. He hit hard two Wednesdays ago, back in Quito. We were having a worship night and in the hours leading up to it I had some time to sit alone and process the month. What started out as a little bit of emotion and confusion, Satan was able to grab a hold of and spiral into a ball and chain around my ankle. It took until the middle of the worship night to recognize that the devil was on the move.
For those of you who may not know me well, joy is a huge part of my life. I have desired to have the joy of the Lord and I do my best to live it out daily. That is what Satan tried to steal from me. With that ball of chain I was pushed into the ocean, sinking deep as I watched that joy disappear with the surface of the water. I was overcome with exhaustion, I didn’t feel like singing, I had no emotion and specifically no joy. I had a few amazing people come around me to speak truth and encouragement, and I did what I could to speak that truth over myself as well. But with no change, I knew I needed to bring my whole squad into what was going on. With only one song left I stepped through the lies fogging my mind to the center of the room and barely made out a request for prayer between sobs.
I was surrounded by 60 some people and with the first prayer the chain broke from my ankle. I started rising, the pressure began releasing from my chest, and I could see the surface again. That night I was met over and over with hugs, encouragement, and love. It was God’s love that broke those chains. Not only mine but a heaviness was over others in my squad as well. The devil did what he could that night to steal joy and instill fear. Instead he increased joy and gave us the opportunity to push through fear. He knew my squad and I were about to go into a country, into places he believes he has control, and leave it burning with the Spirit.
The next morning I was up early enough to watch the sunrise through the fog. It was beautiful and the joy I had was greater than I’ve ever had before. I am so excited for what the Lord has for my squad and me. He is using us to further his kingdom and it has only just begun.
So please, continue to surround my squad, team, and I in prayer this month and the months to come! There is power in prayer, even prayer across oceans.
