How God casts vision…

Two things come to mind this time of year, vision and stewardship.

Vision requires the grace of God to empower you to do something beyond your natural ability.  Stewardship is using what God has given you to glorify Him.  It’s usually within your wheelhouse.

A couple of months ago, I agreed to teach a Sunday School class once a month.  My first lesson was on Ephesians 5:15-21.  I didn’t make it much pass the first two verses before the Lord sent me to Ephesians 6 and the full armor of God.  Before I knew it, He had delivered a message.  Blood on your sword.  

Let’s review the scripture and set the stage..

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Ephesians 5:15-17 The Lord then sent me to Ephesians 6. the full armor of God.  As I reviewed it, I realized every piece of armor is defensive in nature.

Except our swords.

Only our swords, the Word of God, is offensive.  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds, arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…2 Corn. 10:3-5 The Word of God demolishes strongholds and takes back souls from the enemy.

The Lord took two verses out of Ephesians 5 plus the passage on the full armor of God  in Ephesians 6 to deliver a message and cast vision.

I thought, really Lord?  You want me to go in with guns blazing, proclaiming Blood on your sword to a class of 70-90 years-old ladies?   Don’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor.

The message was a plea for wisdom, purpose and urgency sandwiched between two warnings with one exhortation to know what the Lord’s will is.  It is when I asked: “What is the Lord’s will?”, that I drew the most blank stares….

I think it was the second week in September, when I met my dearest friend and prayer partner for lunch.  We pray most Monday mornings but living 3 hours apart deters meeting often.

We launched into a fast-paced conversation that skipped pleasantries and went deep quick.  What has the Lord been doing in your life?  We bantered back and forth for 2 hours sharing how God is moving.  I updated my friend on the Breast Cancer Screening trip to Kenya planned for April 2020.  With tears in her eyes, my friend who had previously declared refusal to (ever?) go to Africa said…I’m going to pray about whether God wants me to go?

Confident the Spirit was at work,  I replied:  I think He has already told you to go.  He told you in Matthew 25 to visit those who were sick.  He told you in Matthew 28, to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  I think the better question is…Lord, tell me if you don’t want me to go to Kenya.

A couple of weeks later, I caught up with a another friend and two-time breast cancer survivor over coffee.  I was excited to catch up but I also had ulterior motives.  I wanted her to share part of her breast cancer journey with me to help me better understand how to serve the women in Kenya.

Ever since Steve asked for my help in facilitating this BC clinic, God put my friend on my mind.  She loves Jesus and I know her waters run deep.  How do you face cancer twice and not wrestle through some of life’s most difficult questions?

I was hoping my friend would consider helping me gather BC education literature, develop a strategy to minister spiritually and possibly raise support for BC biopsy supplies .  Feeling particularly bold, I urged my friend to consider participating in the clinic itself.  I reminded her, the enemy is overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.  Revelation 12:11

The truth is we are all called to fight the good fight.  The Lord’s will is for Him to be able to use us to point others to Him, bring Him glory and help usher souls into the Kingdom of God.  God lists several examples in the Bible about how to do this specifically.  For example: visit the sick.

But He also offers us freedom in how we do this.  It will look different for each of us.  We need godly parents to be PTA Presidents, Scout Masters and soccer coaches.  We need men and women to raise our children in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord. We need Christians willing to engage with the gospel at their workplaces.  We need some to go into the hard places within our communities serving the lost, hungry and those in need.  And some of us need to go to Kenya.

Kenya is no better or worse than any of the other ways I’ve mentioned above.  It’s simply where God has sent me to serve at this time.  I don’t feel called to be PTA President, but God knows we need some godly PTA Presidents pointing others to Christ.  Kenya is simply a part of my fight in this season.  The key is I need to be willing to engage in the fight where He leads.

I asked my friend to prayerfully consider whether the BC screening trip was part of her fight in this season.  With tears in her eyes, she said the Lord had been telling her to enlarge her circle.

Over the last few months, I have noticed fear and trepidation slowly give way to excitement about where God is leading.

The truth is the BC Screening trip to Kenya is a work in progress.  In December alone, it looked like the trip might be cancelled.  Connections essential to the clinic hit major roadblocks.  From an earthly perspective, the clinic seems only 80% shored up.

But from God’s perspective, He tested two girls hearts.  He delivered a message and asked if they understood what the Lord’s will is.  Are you willing to go where I send you?  Even when it strikes every cord of fear in your soul?  Even when you cannot begin to imagine how you could financially afford to go or physically afford to be away?

What started as a feeble yes, has grown in to a resounding beat.  Yes, I am willing to go.  Wherever you lead Lord, I will follow.

My friend will allow God to use for good, what the devil intended for harm.  She will go where the enemy is lurking.  We know he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  In the midst of his terror, my friend will lift up her shirt and bear her scars.  She will speak of the One who has saved her soul.  She will offer physical hope and point to the One who offers salvation for their souls.  The kind of salvation that says…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…Ps.23:4

This is how God casts vision.  He will confront you with an opportunity of faith when you least expect it.  Something you feel inadequately prepared for.  God wants to know are you willing to engage in the fight.  No longer using your armor to only ward off attacks of the enemy.  Are you willing to take your sword and go into the battle where God leads.  Are you willing to take back what the enemy has stolen?  Are you willing to be used by God to usher souls into the Kingdom?  Are you willing to get blood on your sword?