Do you ever feel like you are on the verge of understanding something but can’t quite SEE the complete picture? Like hanging on the edge of something, or peeking over a tall table and not quite being able to see what’s on top?
I have often felt, more recently, that I am learning things in bits and pieces. I grasp something profound and then it drifts from my conscious thought. I feel that a concept that I am taking in is deeply important and I am only ‘getting’ a tiny shadow of the whole thing.
I have a ‘call’ on my life to pray. The calling is one that, when I recognized it was a call from my Heavenly Father, I actually had discounted its value. It wasn’t until I saw some miracles occur that I figured out that it was a real thing; an actual ‘job’.
Now all of us have heard the phrase, “Well… all we can do is pray.” This statement is often spoken with a sense of ‘giving up’ or despair. Things have gotten so bad that whatever needs to be prayed about is an impossible thing. Essentially, the value was in whatever could be done about the problem and praying was the LAST choice. I wonder if this attitude, so prevalent even in my own thinking, was the reason I ignored God telling me He needed me to pray.
Of course, doubting that I ‘heard’ from God was also a big part of this. I also really thought I was meant for greatness, as in teaching before thousands or performing on a stage to the awe of everyone around. Hahahaha…
That ‘call’ has evolved into a ‘knowing’. I get a very strong sense when I am to be praying over a situation or some person. I move in active obedience when that happens, often muttering under my breath as I beseech my Lord. Sometimes I have dreams or sudden thoughts about a person. I have been awakened in the night with a person on my mind and I know instantly I am supposed to pray.
God is truly raising up an army of His people. Some will be carrying weapons for warfare, perhaps a voice, a painting, a song, a word, a skill, a direction, a movement, a ministry…Others will gird them up with prayer. As we continue to work on the Kingdom being built here, we must encourage and lift one another up. Workers on the ‘wall’ need those who will stand guard on their behalf while they are working.
“…half of the servants carried out the work, while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates…”
-Nehemiah 4:16
I don’t want to be guilty of discounting the need for intercession when there are other workers depending on it for their safety.
The power that we have been given by Jesus is real and evident and yet we don’t tap into it or walk in it.
I, for one, forget.
I have seen the miracles. I have been physically healed. I have watched as lives are transformed and people in chains are delivered and set free. And yet…at times, I am still afraid and dismayed and discouraged and paralyzed…Ahhh…the human condition.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
-Philippians 4:6
When the revelation of God’s glory is in the forefront of my thinking, I remember my place, my power, my gift and its purpose to see the Kingdom of God flourish!
Oh! that we would all walk in our calling!
This is the Edge I speak of. I am just getting a glimpse over the edge of this high and lofty idea; that we, God’s army are so richly empowered to accomplish much for Him and that we have a responsibility to be His people.
Our kids are targets of the enemy right now and there needs to be an army that rises up in their defense! These kids, the next generation, are carrying a powerful ‘call’ on their lives and the enemy knows it. His schemes get more wily by the day. We know that ultimately those plans will be foiled, that the victory has already been won, yet, day by day, there are casualties that occur as the unsuspecting youth are neutralized. Let’s join together to teach and lead and undergird this generation for life. Let’s speak truth; not ‘gray area’ information. Let us rise up and pray for these young warriors.
“…Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters your wives and your houses!”
Nehemiah 4:14
Look at who you are and what you have been called to do. Do your part. Walk in it! Lift your eyes up to see over that edge.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power for the bringing down of strongholds.”
-2 Corinthians 10:4
