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I wasn't expecting that


For: The Institute of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen's University, Essentials Green Online Worship Values Course with Dan Wilt

Something interesting happened to me last week. We had a number of visitors at our Sunday evening meeting at church and at the end of the night, a guy came up to me and asked me if I was the person who answered the phone. I said, "Yes." The phone number given for the church on our website is my home number and always has been, so yes, if he called the church, he talked to me. He said he had called the church in 2005 when he was in the Netherlands. He had been facing a surgery the next day that he was concerned about and wanted someone to pray for him.

I interrupted him at this point to say that I did not have a clear recollection of this call, but that I get a fair number of people who contact me with concerns. I usually just pray for them on the spot and unfortunately, the details do not stay with me for long. He confirmed that this was exactly what I had done. I had prayed for him over the phone regarding the surgery and asked God to intervene. The next day he had gone into the hospital for the surgery on his arm; he had injured it in a bike accident and the rotation needed to be corrected. Before the surgeon began the procedure, he x-rayed the arm once more and was surprised to find that the rotation was fine; there was no need to correct it. The surgeon told him to get something to eat (he had been fasting in preparation for the surgery) and go home. Very cool!

Thank you, Sylvain from Cameroon, for visiting our church and telling me this story, for showing me the other side of a simple prayer. God is always active and moving in our world, but most times we are aware of so little of it. As a result, we sometimes don't expect much from Him. He seems too distant, but the truth is that he is always near. Some days I feel like I am simply going through the motions of faith: praying, studying, interacting, teaching, loving, serving, and needing healing more than being able to offer it. As a result, there is not much excitement behind these disciplines on some days. But God does not require excitement, he requires faith. And faith exhibits itself through faithfulness. Let us carry on with what God has asked us to do, and leave him to do what he said he would do. And yes, he does always keeps his promises. Sooner or later, in one way or another, he comes through.

This is some ornamental tile on the plateau in Montreal.
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Shelley said…
what a cool story Matte! feedback is always great, eh? :)
8:06 PM
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