OK OK…
I know that I have not been responsible about writing and informing you enough about my life here in Spain. Questions such as; How Spain is, How am I, What I am learning, What I am doing here, etc? So I apologize. It seems to be so much more than I ever expected- and I am honored.
There have been a lot of events that the Lord has brought/bringing me through since I arrived 3 months ago. The one thing that the Lord has done is really cleansed me from my past completely. I didn’t think that it would happen so quick- but it has. I can’t really express what it has been like, but I use these words…Freedom, grace, and love- because they are the only words that ring through me!
I want to express myself through a piece of scripture that the Lord spoke to me while in Spain. It is one of my life verses now. Below are some personal thoughts from my journal. I want to share it with you in hoping that you will gain a greater understanding of what God is doing with me. Hopefully the Spirit of God will speak to you as well.
I love ordinary days because ordinary seems to be a surprise at times….
Today started off to be exactly that, ordinary, but by the power and spirit of God showing up, and it turned out to be an extraordinary day. Here in front of me stood, Andrew Sherman, who has willingly laid down much of himself to chase after a dream. I believe it is Gods dream and it is the dream of awakening a generation to step up and be the men and women God truly created us to be.
As many of you know, my family has not had the ” smooth boat out at sea” in the last year. Honestly, we have been going through a lot of transformations as individuals and a family. God is doing a lot of work, new work- pouring new wine into NEW wine skins! It is hard yet beautiful.
So the day continues–As we began to enter into worship, we also entered into the presence of God and it was pretty thick…much thicker than before. I noticed that my family began to weigh heavily on my soul. I was starting to fight for them. You see, I believe in fighting for the peace of God in those around me, especially the ones that you are flesh and blood with. I believe God loves the fact that we become the warriors He created us to be for one another-why would He give us armor to fight with? I have learned to fight in many new ways for my family and friends these last two years and I will not let the enemy mess with my family again today!
This prayer was my war cry…Lord, I am sick of my family being attacked. I ache for my brother because of everything he goes through daily with his pain. I long for the day his body is completely healed and I believe it will happen. And for my dad, that you would provide a job (which He now has…PRAISE GOD) and for my mom, that you would protect her and speak to her your dreams you have for he and she would boldly be the woman who brings joy and truth to all those around her. I fight and I continue to do so today- even if I am tired.
Sitting there silently in our study room, the Lord told me to go to Isaiah 6- so I did and there it started. I began to focus on a few verses. As I read it over and over again,I knew that I had to speak it out not just for the sake of words, but also for my ears to hear me say them and really believe what was taking place. This was God healing me and moving me completely forward in life. It was powerful.
I want to share with you how God has led me through each verse and share my interpretation (in italics) of how God was speaking to me.
Isaiah 6:2-8
Vs 2: “Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Here I imagined “something’s” that were covered by the Glory of the Lord- that no matter where they were, who they were, what they saw- they it was the sure presence of God.
Vs. 3: “And they were calling to one another: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory.”‘
Here I saw all of Gods sons and daughters literally speaking and singing with one another and the only words coming out was this verse. Imagine how many people this will truly be. Massive!
Vs. 4: “At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.”
Here I saw the ushering in of the presence of God and His glory coming to earth and at the sound of our voices- the enemy shakes and crumbles to the ground.
Vs. 5: “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!” For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”‘
This is where I really entered into a place that was so real to me…I, Robby Riggs, am a man who has his faults, who has spoken and has been unclean- who did not care for the brethren at times- and now, I have seen the King through grace and His mercy has showered on me- which transforms me completely- inside and out.
Vs. 6: “Then one of the seraphs few to me with a live coal in His hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter.”
As I sat as a man of unclean lips- this to me was the representation of the true Christ- the perfect cleansing that was taking place.
Vs. 7: “With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
As I stood in our classroom, I literally felt something lift off of my shoulders- and I knew it was the moments of shame, guilt, etc. being lifted off and it was where the Lord was speaking to me and telling me that my sin had been atoned for…I felt that it was seriously being pealed off me as you would an orange. That moment I felt like a giant, not prideful in the arrogant way, but prideful of being a Son of God whose sins were cleansed….
Vs. 8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I, send me!”
This is it- the Lord calling me and asking me this morning if I would go anywhere in this world and do anything for the work that he is desiring in order for His glory to be fulfilled throughout all nations and peoples. So that people will know and grasp His love for each of them, that hope will rest in them…and so wherever Lord and whatever Lord that looks like, I say- SEND ME!
Now here I am today, June 26, 2009, in Mijas, Spain as an ordinary man living an extraordinary life at the age of 25. I am blessed beyond measure and I am growing with Him more and more.
I hope that you can get a glimpse of reality and truth from what I just shared from my journal. I am serious about the Kingdom of God and me breathing and speaking truth to people and loving them deeply. Sure, I will be honest, I can get a little freaked out at times because God has placed me under authority over a lot of men who speak and live truth. These men are sowing themselves into me in all the while, God revealing his dreams, revelations- etc. to me and that is crazy, yet humbling. And with this- I cling to this truth He has spoken to us all, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light!
So, do I at the age of 25 years old commit these written and spoken words to the Lord? It seems to be the same answer… Each day I am giving myself over to the Lord and each day I say “Yes I commit to your ways Lord,” because you are my Father…
My provider, rock, helper, The living word, hope, peace, and love….
Peace and Grace!
