Before getting to our ministry sites, we all had our debrief in Belgrade, Serbia. It was a good time, in so many ways. One of the biggest things that happened is that God had spoken to me what He wanted me to focus on the most from that point forward…
God spoke to me loud and clear about being focused on intercessory prayer – even to the point that He said He would give me the discernment needed to do so, or rather, that He was already giving me the discernment and I need to turn it into prayers. So here is what it looks like right now… what I really want to talk about…
So within the first few days of being in Sombor, Serbia (our ministry site) the pastor here (our host) asked us each about our spiritual background/history and present state – spiritual gifts, specialized areas of ministry, passions, hobbies, etc. All I said was that I’ve been involved in different kinds of ministry but that currently God has called me to focus on intercessory prayer. I think it was later that day, or the next day when he was meeting with someone who didn’t know Jesus but was asking for prayer because of a sickness. This is someone who the pastor had been ministering to and sharing with for a while. As they were talking, he contacted his wife who was with us at the time and requested that I would be in prayer for him and the person he was with. I was so blessed by that and saw it as a confirmation of what God had spoken to me. But then a few days past and nothing was happening… it seemed like everyone else had gained ministry opportunities to do what they love to do, whether it be sports or working out or something else; and I started feeling like I’m not doing much, other than praying in private places with no one around – which I know is just as important, it just didn’t feel like it at the time.
A few days ago I spoke with the pastor and said, “I’ve been trying to think of ways I can make myself more available. Everyone else seemed to have a thing they do and I don’t do any of those things.” He told me something like, “just do what God told you to do and don’t try to be someone you are not. Don’t worry about it.” A day or two later I got an opportunity through video chat to encourage, counsel, and pray for a cousin whom I had not seen or talked to in years. The Lord let me know that the opportunities He gives me (to minister to someone directly) doesn’t always have to come from the same location I am in. I need to just keep my eyes and heart on Him and He will bring me opportunities whenever He wants 🙂
As I was thinking about this today I was reminded of when Peter asked Jesus about John. He said, “and what about this man?” Jesus said, “what is it to you?….. just follow me.” I feel like I kind of did the same thing. Becoming focused on what others are doing rather than what God told me to do. I also remember in the New Testament that Jesus Himself interceded for US.
So…. when God tells you what to do… don’t focus on what others are doing. What’s it to you? Just follow HIM by doing what He wants YOU to do.
