(first published in October, 2019)
Last night, I was lying in bed with the lights off, thinking about the Kalamazoo House of Prayer, a ministry for which I serve as the executive director. Earlier in the evening, I had suddenly gotten sick and was unable to finish leading prayer for a friend of mine’s worship set. I ended up going home early and staying home for the evening, which meant I ended up missing my own worship set from 8 - 10PM. I had texted a few friends to see if anyone could cover for me, but no one was available.
You know how it goes……you’re recovering from getting ill, bummed at missing your worship set…..and thinking about “the lack” in the ministry. I was thinking about how I needed more worship leaders, prayer leaders, and watch leaders. I was praying and asking God to send us more people, to help me to recruit, etc. I pray these petitions often. And in that moment in my dark bedroom, I could only see what we needed. I could only see the issues.
Then, in the darkness, I heard the Lord speak to me. He said, “You look [at the prayer room] and see lack. I look and see faithfulness.”
“You look and see lack. I look and see faithfulness.”
And I was once again reminded that my version of success and God’s version is completely different. I measure by numbers and He measures by obedience. I see lack; He sees faithfulness.
Be encouraged, my friends. Living out our “yes” to God means more than we know. And I’m beginning to see how our daily obedience is an act of worship. Whether it is in the big things or the small things, the Lord receives our “yes” as fragrant oil upon His feet.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12: 1 - 2