I have realized that life and even The Race is defined by Seasons, but there are more then four. There are Seasons of questioning, Seasons of learning, Seasons of growing, Seasons of brokenness, Seasons of tiredness, Seasons of Joy, Seasons of frustration, Seasons of worship and a lot more at that.
Enter in frustration.
I write this blog because of a revelation I have had. It is something I preach but often times I do not practice. We are supposed to take everything to God. We are suppose to express our frustrations and celebrations… Everything. Something that I was told that I believe to an extent is this, “Sometimes it is okay to go on a cussing walk with God.” However, we are not to disrespect, dethrone or devalue God. He deserves our worship in all aspects of life!
I want to tell you a story.
I found myself in the most remote village I have ever been. We were walking around evangelizing. The dirt in the air was stinging my eyes. The mud huts made me wonder about the living conditions of the first humans to ever live. We walked from mud hut to mud hut speaking about Jesus. I was tired, the sun was setting and I was counting down the minutes before we returned to our home to eat dinner.
We walked up on five older ladies and a couple of mothers leaned up against the mud wall that made one of the four walls of their house. Kids surrounded us with quizzical looks, wondering what these white people were doing. Our translator greeted the women and told them what we were doing. They asked him if we were trying to change them.
Are we trying to change them? Are we trying to take away their culture? Are we trying to make them like us? These questions started to weigh on my mind. Our translator looked at me and asked if I would share the Gospel.
Where was I to begin?
I began by telling them that we were not there to change them, if anything I am the one that has been changed by what I am doing. I worship a God that does not even come from my culture. I serve a risen Savior that has connected all cultures together and has beckoned us in as family to be changed only by His guidance. I went on and started to tell them about Jesus and a little bit about my transformation.
That was the moment. I saw it, something clicked in the eyes of one of the women. Her name was Poden. She felt it. She felt impacted. She wanted Jesus and she was quick to tell us. We answered her questions and then it was time for the prayer. To be honest, I struggle with the prayer. Jesus calls us to express that He is Savior! But often times I have heard it said and seen it acted on differently. I am a sucker for actions speaking louder then words! One of the girls led her in the prayer and I stood silently back praying over her and her family.
By this time the ladies around her were scowling at her and I could see it in their faces, why would she accept this? Why were we there changing the woman’s life? Why did she choose to believe this Jesus character?
I asked our translator if there was anything that we could pray for the women about. Poden lifted her skirt from her feet. Immediately I knew what she was asking. Her left foot was about three times the size of her right foot. There were open wounds and you could see the infection. This was it!
This was the time to for God to show His Glory. This was the impact that was going to show the other women the power of the God that we serve. My spirit was excited. This was a moment that I had hoped and prayed for. This was what an opportunity to prove to Poden who she had just accepted.
We placed hands and began to pray, not long and not poetically. WE PRAYED. I kept expecting to feel the healing happening right there. I kept expecting that we would look down and her foot would be perfect. She was created to be perfect and I wanted her to know the power that lies behind the name of Jesus. I selfishly wanted to see God work supernaturally…
“Amen.” The word was said. We removed our hands and there was her foot, still the same. The sudden frustration filled me. Time and time again I have prayed believing that something would happen, never stopping and never doubting in the power of Jesus. I walked away upset. I walked away asking God if he kept putting me in these situations knowing that I would not stop. I will not stop believing in the healing power of Jesus. I will not stop taking opportunities to allow God to work.
I also will not doubt that God is working through all my frustrations.
Poden was happy regardless of her foot being healed. She was freed.
The next morning we found her sitting in the pew of a church having made the 45-minute walk with her child and her foot. She seemed to have joy.
Dave received a word to challenge one of the woman of the church to disciple her and to encourage her in her new faith. The woman was hesitant but after encouragement promised to look after Poden.
I still don’t understand why? I still talk to God about it. I pray that Poden’s foot is healed. I pray that she is dancing and running around with her child.
I came on The Race to see the supernatural. I have experienced it! Although my eyes have yet to see it, I hold on to longing to witness it. God is my friend. I tell him what I feel, exactly how I feel, holding nothing back. I mean he knows anyhow, but our conversations have been awesome because of it.
I pray revelation in your life and honesty with God!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “There is a season for everything!”
