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In 2003, I was experiencing true revival in my life. It seemed to me that Jesus and I were communicating in a very intimate way. Jesus says in the gospel of John that his followers will hear his voice. I was always confused about that verse, for up to this point I had never really heard the audible voice of Christ. But this year was different. Every morning as I communed with the Lord, he was leading me to scriptures that I never knew existed.

It was on Thanksgiving Day, November 27,2003 when the Lord directed me to the Old Testament book of Haggai. Since I had never been a student of the Old Testament, my curiosity was up—what does God want to say to me? I never read any of Haggai and did not have the slightest idea what was in this book. I got up to Haggai 2:19, where it says “From this day on I will bless you”. The book ends with the words, “For I have chosen you”, declares the Lord. Christ spoke to me on that day telling me to claim the words. I wrote in my Bible: 11-27-03Thanksgiving Day – God spoke this verse to me. I can’t wait to see what God does so that He can receive glory and honor through me!

Yesterday at church we heard a powerful sermon from Bill Hybels, pastor from Willow Creek Church. The name of his message was “Holy Discontent”. He asked the listeners, “What can’t you stand anymore?” He explained if there is anything in the world that we absolutely hate, that something is probably equally hated by God. He encouraged us to join hearts with God and start aiming to change whatever is riling us up.

As I contemplated what bothers me the most in the world around me, it did not take long to realize what it was. Because my devotionals are on the web now, I get mail daily from people all around the world. As I read and re-read these letters, I realize there is a common denominator in each of these letters. The common denominator is “Hurting Christians”.

I have received a letter from a lady who had to deliver a baby who only lived 20 minutes, after being told in her first trimester that her baby never developed kidneys. I have received a letter from a man who shared with me that his niece and nephew just had twin girls, Elizabeth and Grace. These girls were born prematurely and have been fighting for their lives ever since. On the other end of the spectrum, I have received a letter from girl who had aborted her baby and is struggling to feel the forgiveness from God for this sin, even though she has repented and come to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Then just a couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from a lady in Colorado who found her 46 year old Christian husband dead on their bedroom floor last May. She told me, she still struggles with trying to figure out, “Why?” And then last week I got an e-mail from one of my best friends telling me that her 26 year old nephew was killed in Iraq on April 23rd, leaving behind a wife and a 13 month old baby girl.

Each letter grips my heart. Each letter is represented by a hurting person. And each letter makes me feel holy (wholly) discontented.

From this discontent, a vision is beginning to arise in my soul. I think back to 2003 where God said that He has chosen me for a purpose. As I contemplate everything that has been going on in my life, the vision I believe that God is calling me to, is getting clearer. I hurt for hurting people. I am broken for broken people. But I’ve been healed also, and I desire healing for all these people.

Is this a big task for me to take on? Yes and No. I recently received this encouragement from a Pastor in Arizona who I was sharing my vision with. Here are his words: If we as individuals believe God wants us to do anything than we must know God will provide the opportunity and the way. We won't have to make it happen out of nowhere. I like that about God. God things aren't tough. They are smooth and easy to achieve. Wait patiently addressing life’s everyday issues and let God do the rest!

Is there something in your life that is making you feel discontented? Maybe it is even keeping you up at night. I hope there is. And if there is, let’s join our hearts with God’s heart and let Him guide us, inspire us, and most importantly, lead us, to where He desires us to be.

In the beginning the vision will always be blurry. However, as we seek God, and lay at His feet, I know it will become clearer each day. Until then, we must wait and put on our spiritual glasses each day until we are seeing 20/20. Then our discontentment can be changed to contentment as we find ourselves obeying God and moving in the direction that He desires us to move. Then one day we can join our voices as one and begin singing at the top of our lungs:

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day

Oh yes I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day

Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day

I’m praying for you for a bright and sun-shiny day!

Because of Jesus,

Pat

Where there is no vision, the people perish

Proverbs 29:18

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)