I said something today that I have since ralised was not true. I was having breakfast (late enough in the day that it could have been lunch) with a good friend that I have not spent time with in a while and was questioned about how busy work and life in general have been since I have been home. My answer was in the usuall vein of how rediculous things get and how consuming work is.
I believe my answer was unfair to God. It failed to give Him credit for what he was accomplished in that area specifically. One of my prayers while doing work for Him in other parts of the world was that when I got back to Ouray I would be able to continue to continue in His service and not loose focus on things like work.
Since being home I have spent a lot of time in front of a computer screen doing my usual sys-admin and developer type work — fixing a months worth of bugs and fighting the spam fight that every ISP knows they have to budget half of their equipment for — I have done these things. They kind of half to be done. I even like doing them (well not the spam but…).
Saying or even passivly implying that work has taken it’s previous place in my life (or AS my life!) was my lie. I have never before been a witness to such a steady flow of miracles minor and major as in the last month and a half, and the two weeks that I have been home have been a continuation of that. I have seen Christ Jesus reconcile relationships, break down arguments, open hearts, heal bodies, raise up leaders, teach those who seek Him, supply friends when none where to be had, and more that I have probably forgotten because I didn’t give Him the glory first thing. All that — in the last two weeks.
The power of prayer has been clearly evident. Is it an accident that when three of us sat down for an hour and prayed for a friend who had litterally and figurativly shut the door in our faces, that very person comes walking in … and by the end of the night we’ve all had too much fun? Is it an accedent that when I asked God for a sign that I was to continue pursuing a ministry in an area where I was making little headway, that the next day a card arives from someone in another part of the state who was never written me before saying “Thank you for being obedient to God’s call on your life when you are being rejected.”
And speaking of signs, our men’s bible study this morning was studying the story of Gideon. Several of the men did not think that God answers today with signs like He did then and that they have never been given one. And I’m ashamed to say that I was too tired (it was 7 in the morning!) and bashfull to speak out and tell them that I have seen signs that are unquestionably from God in direct answer to prayer that speak specifically to the situations I was facing.
God has been faithfull to me. When I have called on Him, He has answered. He has even allowed me to be used as part of His work — the comming of His Kingdom here on earth. I am greatfull to Him, and pray that I will have the strength to give credit Him with all He does. This means not only not taking the credit myself, but making sure mention is made of His works instead of letting them go un-noticed.
