Our plans are constantly changing. As this is not my first rodeo it’s not a surprise, but does provide challenges. Before we left New Zealand we received a prophetic word preparing us for the trip ahead:
You must follow my voice on this trip and not be led by your instincts, fears or limited ideas. I will speak to you every morning and evening, guiding you where to go and what to do.
Despite schedule changes each day we have prayed for opportunities and God has provided in astounding ways. Like today: one vehicle was running late to pick us up and take us to the YWAM base for ministry. When it came (eventually) it took half the team, but got lost along the way.
The vehicle came across an impassable river which flooded the way. Just as the car was turning round the team saw a man attempting to jump from electrical cables (from a great height) and were able to talk him down before ministering to him.
What precise timing is needed by God to lead us by accident to this location.
Meanwhile in the other vehicle we took a wrong turn yet landed at the YWAM base. We were then able to give accurate instructions to the remaining team on how to get to YWAM. Both directional errors led us perfectly to where we needed to be.
It is in such moments we realise God is not looking for experts or professionals, but people who lean on Him and can be led by His spirit. Those are the people He can use for his purposes.
Can the kingdom be build by men with plans, or by children with trust? Therefore we must become like little children and learn to follow His will as our own dissipates. This is very hard to do because we want to feel valuable by works and in control of circumstances.
Our YWAM host said it like this: “‘God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you life’ is an untrue statement, the truth is ‘God loves you and has a wonderful plan’. Will you let go of yours and join His?”
But how can we know His will from our own?
I wonder if Gods will is not correctly discerned because we want Him to fit into our life. We have a set idea of how our life should look and become angry when God calls us to leave it behind. “NO,” we may say, “how dare you call me to leave my plan. It is for your sake God I hold onto it so tightly.”
But it was never Gods plan, it’s the flesh hiding behind ‘god language’ and vain plans.
Last night for example we attended a church service. There was a broken guitar, wood planks for seats, no proper lighting and mosquitoes swarming. The people who came would be considered by our standards as ‘in poverty’ and had no hospitality to offer us (as is customary) other than some packets of buscuits. I was tired and had blocked sinus with a growing headache.
As we sat in the half-constructed church building with pools of mud below, the Holy Spirit whispered to me “sing Jesus loves me accapella”. As we were to lead the service, when the time came I obeyed and sang. Then Leon offered them the gift of a New Zealand flag which touched their hearts greatly.
Next the Holy Spirit whispered, “preach on Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest…” As I spoke a very brief message tears welled in the eyed of some of those gathered and I knew God was moving.
Might I add that our attendance at that church was by chance, the previous evening the pastor had invited us but we were too busy to come. We prayed if we were to go God would make a way… He did and His spirit moved.
I cannot articulate the feeling of exctacy in that moment. I came home raptured by the love of God alive in me, my selfishness extinguished. My headache and blocked sinuses could not stop me flying high as a kite in the spirit. I was so happy.
This happiness is only for those who walk by the spirit, who have left behind the double mindedness the Apostle James speaks of (James 1:6-8): Our will vs His will. We must sacrifice the idols of the life we want for his plan. God has one plan. It is to redeem the world to himself.
What is holding you back? It’s time for radical surrender is it not?