The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Wednesday
September 3, 2008
On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we
supposed that some people met for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some
women who had come together. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of
expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. As she listened to us, the
Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized
along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests.
"If you agree that I am faithful to the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my
home." And she urged us until we did.
Acts 16:13-15
Sometimes we just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of things to experience a deeper closeness to God. God is so big, so vast, that we cannot begin to know Him. Just when we think we do, He opens a door for us to experience a deeper understanding and to share that understanding with others. Thus, a little group of people met outside the city for prayer. Their hunger to know God more intimately was about to be answered in a way that would change their lives forever.
There is no doubt in my mind that Paul was his usual exuberant self at that meeting and shared exactly what Jesus had done for him. As he shared his story, Lydia's heart experienced the recognition that there was more of God to know and she wanted to receive it. Not only did she receive it, but she also received a deeper hunger to know more and to share what she had with others – that is what happens when we want to know Him more – isn't it?
Can you imagine the joy in her home that day? Paul, the man whose message rocked the religious world, stayed with her and her family. Awesome! That is the way it is when we hunger for God. We want to be around others who are hungry too. It is a joy for me to be around people who hunger for God like I do – and even more! Their excitement rubs off on me and soon I recognize myself soaring on eagle's wings in their presence. The higher they climb, the higher I fly with them.
Strange, I have a recurring dream…I am fly everywhere I go. I try to hide the fact from everyone, because I know people won't understand. In the dream, I hunger to explain to people that the reason I can fly is because I simply let go and let God carry me. Wouldn't it be nice if that were true?
Father, set us free to fly on Angel's wings and operate in the boldness of a lion as you place us in the path of those who do not know You. Give us a burning desire to see people know You and experience Your love.
