I am learning that in all situations, whether I am preaching at a community gathering, leading worship, praying for a friend, playing with my children, or talking with my wife, the presence of God is my primary pursuit (Matt. 6:33). His presence, manifest in the Holy Spirit, is our solution for everything. Holy Spirit is our access to every pantry, cupboard and storehouse in heaven. Nothing of any kingdom value happens apart from the presence of Holy Spirit enduing us with power for his work.
Well, as I was preparing to teach on Saturday for our OHM gathering, I was very aware that I hadn't much clarity about what the Lord wanted to communicate that evening. As the time arrived for me to teach, not having much clarity and not sensing God's presence, I ventured into the text I had prepared. As I taught I grew heavier and I could sense the heaviness upon others. But my teaching was good stuff?! I know the Lord has gifted me as a communicator of the gospel?! Why couldn't I just preach INTO God's presence?! The truth is I preached for almost an hour on a text that I knew was for our community that night, but without the empowering presence of Holy Spirit, my words fell flat...very flat.
As my wife and I later processed the evening, Holy Spirit made very clear - though I had been faithful to teach the things He had given me to teach, apart from his manifest, empowering presence, they were simply my words. And my words, no matter how great, are only my words. Until my words are endued with His power, they have no ability to penetrate or affect change. What should I have done?
WAIT ON HIM.
I so often get caught up in what I think I should be doing, I miss what He is asking me to do. I was so caught up with what I should be teaching on Saturday that I missed what God was speaking to me in the moment - WAIT ON MY PRESENCE. As Jesus' parable in Luke 14:15-24 suggests, God has prepared everything for us. We don't have to work for anything, but simply sit and feast! (See also Psalm 23:5)
This is a very difficult thing to do when you have a schedule to maintain, people's agendas weighing on you, a clock staring you in the face, and a sermon to deliver. Holy Spirit made it very clear to me that I should have simply paused, shared with my community that I didn't sense His presence and join together in prayer for God's manifest presence. You see, when God's presence is manifest you don't have to do anything! His presence satisfies every ask, seek and knock (Luke 11). Preaching, songs, etc. - all become something we do in response to His presence, not in attempt to invoke His presence.
Please understand that I hate formulas, so whatever you may hear in my words that might encourage a formula, know this is not my desire. Jesus says, "Seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these other things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33)." The normal Christian life is the business of seeking God's kingdom - HIS PRESENT REIGN AND RULE. My preaching on Saturday was an attempt to bring Him sacrifices, offerings and gifts in hopes of earning my way into His presence, but He always says the same thing - "Be still and know that I am God...The Lord Almighty is with us (Psalm 46:10, 11)." To "know" that He is God is to have an experience of His presence; to testify in your spirit that Holy Spirit is "with us" and ready to bless us.
I should have paused and waited until my spirit testified within me that Holy Spirit was present and active, filling His temple (me and others). Instead, I pushed through the message, hoping that He would bless my offering. My reward for pushing through was an agonizing evening of striving in my own strength.
In retrospect, this was an incredible grace for me - that I was sensitive to the absence of His presence. In the future I will be better equipped to handle the situation, but I am thankful that Saturday won't go down in the records as just another night of "pushing through" in ministry. I am thankful it tasted as awful as it really was. I am thankful I am growing in my sensitivity to the presence (or absence) of God. I am thankful He is teaching me to minister FROM His presence, not INTO His presence. I am learning to be still and know his presence is my only hope!
I am learning that any ministry we can do without God is not really ministry. It is our honor as Christians to minister the POWER and PRESENCE of God in this world, not just sermons, songs and prayers.
4 comments:
That's an interesting perspective. I wonder how often I try to do something for God without Him needing to be involved?
Eric I think you have a great point but you have to remember that the in Matthew 28:20 it says "The Lord is with me always, even unto the end of the world." So if the Lord is always with you, you will be blessed with his love. Also in Philippians 4:13 it says "I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me strength and power." So if the Lord is always with you then you would always have the power and strength from Christ to do what God has blessed you to do as a wonderful preacher. So with out ever hearing what you said I am confidant that is was amazing and moved people's lives.
Hey Jason, I don't question whether people were blessed. The Lord is gracious to do that no matter what I do. What I'm yearning for is greater growth on my part. I want move beyond what the bible calls the "elementary teachings" of faith. I want to eventually move beyond spiritual milk to meat! I long to everything God created me to be.
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