I often experience, as I know
many of you do, a conflict between what is, what has been, and what could be.
We are encouraged in Philippians to “be content whatever the
circumstances.” And yet, for many years, I have prayed these verses, “God, I’ve
heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on
my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked
among them” (Habakkuk 3:2, Message).
I’ve been reading a biography of Aimee Semple McPherson. She
was a controversial figure at times in the first half of the 1900’s, but even the
biographer who was not of the Christian faith, made clear that so many of the
works God did through her were well documented, undisputed, and long lasting—the salvations—the miraculous healings.
When I read of the hunger for God during
that time with people lined up for hours to get in services, the picture contrasts
sharply with the current struggle of churches today to even regain ground lost
during the pandemic.
In these pages, I see the personal
cost to those involved in the work of God, so that’s why one thing seems
clear, in order for God to move mightily, He will require full surrender—nothing
held back. Because if one is not fully surrendered, there would be an inability
to endure the upheaval that a move of God brings.
In biographies of others used in a big way by the Lord, you see this surrender—John Wesley, George Whitfield, D.L.
Moody, Billy Sunday, and in fact Aimee was often called the female Billy
Sunday.
She came along about the time the Azusa
Street revival was beginning, from which God also wrought many incredible works.
As I read, the longing in my heart for
more increases. I ache to see God move in a great way to save and heal both in
spirit and in body. But hunger needs to company with surrender. And so, we need
to fully commit to the Lord so that we might be fitting vessels for whatever
God would want to do through us and in us.
I know this post is more preachy than I usually
am here, but it’s what’s heavy on my heart today.
A friend of ours used to say that I had a
favorite phrase, and I will repeat that phrase here with a wistful longing for
the more that only God can bring, “Who knows what the Lord will do?” Because you
see, we can’t imagine the wonder God would bring if we would only give him our
all.
So, here’s to being content, yet always looking for more in the Spirit.
Beverly Varnado is the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. A memoir, Faith in the Fashion District, from Crosslink Publishing is also available as well as her other books, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees and Home to Currahee. She also has an Etsy Shop, Beverly Varnado Art.
To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.com
Beverly Varnado copyright 2022