God’s been doing this massive stirring in my spirit, a stirring that’s driven my restlessness and provoked my ability to seek out some new things. This weekend I intentionally and desperately sought out His voice for some clear direction on a few things and He spoke vibrantly.
And it’s not that Wichita’s bad, but I knew that if I wanted to hear what He was speaking to me I needed to get out of here. So I hopped in my sister’s car, drove through the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas and ended up at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. I had never been there before and had heard too many amazing stories coming out of the place to not go. Plus, I wanted to go someplace where I knew that the Spirit of God was thick. I wanted to go somewhere that I knew stuff was being stirred.
When I opened the door to the prayer room, my face was literally hit with the fragrance of Jesus. Not kidding. I was immediately at peace and felt God’s presence wash over me. I knew that things were going to happen, that He was going to speak to me.
But then again, I went with that expectancy… and when we prophetically pray for God to move someplace for days in advance, He usually does.
The Lord spoke to me many things, some of which I wasn’t expecting to hear about at all. Thankfully, He addressed all the things that were on my heart. The two big things: worship and ministry.
Many of you know that I have a knack for music. It’s something that I enjoy thoroughly. And more than anything, I absolutely love worship. I always said that I’m first a worshiper and then a worship leader. But lately God’s been pulling my heart deeper into this arena and stirring me to do more with it. What does it look like?
But the Lord spoke to me, “Matthew – my anointing for you on this is thick and the only way for you to grow that anointing is to release that anointing. Not only through song and voice, but by pouring it out on others and teaching them how to use it.” So what’s that look like?
It almost intersects directly with the ministry that I’m presently involved in. I’ve been learning a lot in the last several months about missions, ministry, and how I fit inside of all of it. I’m learning the places that I get to apply my gifts and I’m discovering what my highest and best is and, through good leadership and good friends, I’m learning how to add value to this organization. And I want to expand that.
So I’m entering into a new season of discovery and exploration. I’m going to be trying a few new things, seeking out more opportunities to release this anointing and finding more ways to embrace creativity and unleash it effectively onto a generation thirsty for something deeper to impact and influence their lives.
Would you join me in this? I sure could use your prayer. And I’ll let you know more specifically, as I unearth new things, of how you can walk better alongside of me in this.
