Seated in an auditorium on campus with my peers, I listen to John Wimber talk about praying for healing and it is just words bouncing off the walls of my skeptical mind. Until he initiates a challenge from the stage, asks those that need healing to get up and stand next to the wall while the rest of us stay seated.
That takes a while because so many students get up, lean against the padded wall.
He tells those seated to go pick someone from those standing. Pick someone to pray over. Well, that feels awkward and a bit like I want to run out of the room. But I do it.
I pick the girl with the black bob and we sit back down in the bouncy theater seats and introduce ourselves. When I share my name, she gasps. Says she has been looking for me for over a year on campus because the pastor at the college I attended before this one, he tells her to find me. She is a freshman and just finding her way.
Could this be divine, this picking her out random in the sea of others when she has been trying to find me? That skepticism, it starts to fidget.
She says she is having trouble hearing in her right ear and she wants me to pray for her. So I do it like John Wimber shows us. Put my hands on her ears and pray. And when I stumble over the words, my ears get fire hot and I feel something shoot through me like jumper cables on the wrong post.
He warned us about that hot feeling earlier and I wonder if this could be something and now that skepticism, it is restless like flag flapping in wind.
Several days later the preacher in chapel stops mid-sentence during his sermon. Starts talking to air, like he is having a private conversation with God and the audience eavesdrops. Says to all of us, that someone just got healed in their right ear. I think this man is a complete loon.
Who does this? Stand in front of a crowd and just stop to say he heard God say this, that someone just. got. healed.
I sit in my room afterward; answer the phone. It’s the girl with the black bob and she is out of breathe with joy. She tells me it was her, she is the one he says got healed. How she felt something hot in her ear while she sat in chapel, had it checked by a doctor and it seems as though God healed her.
That skepticism slaps me in the face and runs right out the door.
That encounter, over twenty years ago, it’s a page in the story he writes that is my life. How he redeems my unbelief in the healing of a girl that I didn’t know existed before that night.
You and me, we are all dispensers of spiritual gifts he gives away free. Just receptive cupped hands to hold the mercy, grace, forgiveness, kindness, healing; that’s all he asks. So we can give it away to others.
And how do we know when what we have in the cupped hand is ready for blessing?
Practice.
Risk and practice.
Practice and trust in the one who gives the gifts.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 ESV
A repost for new eyes and to practice His presence during Lent. If you would like to join us in community, we follow daily scripture readings here and if you haven’t already done so, add your email address to the box under Follow Redemptions Beauty.
I’m so ashamed of myself for hiding my spiritual gifts, thank you.
Don’t be ashamed, just look forward and trust.
Love this post!! It’s all about Him and my willingness to risk…
I admit there are times when my heart pounded heavy in obedience and then I realized afterward, it really wasn’t about me at all.
Really like this post.
Thanks Denise!
Shelley thank you for sharing this. Reading this post gave me goosebumps.
Blessings!
Your goosebumps remind me of Jennifer Lee’s link up tomorrow. Glad it touched something in you. Always a blessing to see you here Charina.
Yes!! Thank you for sharing this from the archives for this set of “new eyes.” I know too that God does such things because He also made me such first-hand witness (about 20 years ago!) of… an older woman’s “irreversible” hearing loss healed! But this morning I am especially encouraged by “And how do we know when what we have in the cupped hand is ready for blessing?” That’s just what I needed to hear at this moment. Blessings!
Thanking God for his faithfulness to speak to you through this story Sylvia.
Shelly,
Thank you for the reminder. We are His hands and feet, when we trust and obey. Just gorgeous, this one.
Shelia sometimes I think its the role of others to use spiritual gifts, and forget I need to excercise mine too.
such a beautiful account of a life-changing encounter. isn’t God so entirely gracious with us? using us even when we’re not sure we want it? love this story.
Yes he is and I am so thankful. I learned a lot about God during those years of practicing. Still learning.
Skepticism is usually “proven” right, but I’ve had the same experience where that occasional miracle comes up and slaps you. It’s called a “miracle” for a reason. God subverts our expectations and just shows up.
On a lighter note, I saw a great interview with Wimber years ago. He told a story about a couple that was concerned about what he was teaching. His response was, “I will never teach anything outside this Book (the Bible).” Then, he turned to the interviewer and with a surprised look said, “…and they were calmed by that! Do they know what’s in this Book?!?” 🙂
Love that story and your thoughts about miracles. Thank you.
You know, I grew up in the church and would say that I’ve been a Christian most of my life. And still, I find answered prayer to be the most shocking thing.
I know Nancy, for me too. Maybe it is just too hard to comprehend such a big God responding to little ole me.
Prayers, when answered, are a scary, wonderful, huge event! Beautiful post!
Agreed! So glad to meet you today.
Shelley, this is marvelous. I’ve recently been convicted of the need to pray big, bold prayers and this is yet another reminder of the power of God and how He’ll use little-old-me and little-old-you and little-old-everyone to do his work.
Yes to those big, bold prayers Sarah. And I am sure He will use you. He is already using your words to bless people that read. I enjoyed your story about your Grandma today. It made me think of mine.
Prayer can change in ways we never imagined! And this is just yet another example as to how healing can come when least expected. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment so I could find you! I’m so glad I followed your link as this message was truly a sweet blessing and reminder that I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me! Have a good day:D
Chandra, so glad to connect with you. God is so good to bring a timely message that changes and inspires us to be more like Him. Enjoyed your post of thanks as well.
WOW! You don’t know how much I needed to read this! Amazing and so absolutely what God wanted me to read today.
Your enthusiasm is inspiring Jenn. So glad you let me know it was a timely message for you.
i’m usually a skeptic, hate to say it! but God has increased my faith… my mother-in-law was sick for over 20 years. last summer she started getting better, she can walk again, take her own baths, even feed herself. its a real life miracle! God is so good.
You don’t seem to be skeptical when I read you Carissa, actually the exact opposite. You exude sunny and cheerful in your posts. And that has to be such a gift, to see that kind of transformation after twenty years of illness. For her and you. Thanks for sharing this.
It’s a very scary feeling to want to share what you believe, but do not have the faith in yourself to do so, or trust yourself enough to step out and pray for someone’s healing. Big move. Scary moment. But wait, my faith is in God, not in myself. Remember? Through God all things are possible if you believe. I did it, I’ve done it, and it has happened…..by the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God, and by asking in the name of Jesus to make it happen……….all hands on deck. It happens. Really.
Love your heart Vicki. I would trust you to plead the heavens for me any day.
Oh. Wow. That is a God-Incidence and God-Bump all wrapped into one fantastic, God-glorifying story! If you think of it later, link this one up. I’d love for the community to read this story.
I was planning to sweet Jennifer. When someone said it gave them goosebumps in the comments I thought of you right away. Thanks!
So glad you linked. Came over to read the story one more time. 🙂 xxoo
Aww, your such a good friend. Love linking up at your place.
“You and me, we are all dispensers of spiritual gifts he gives away free”
Such a powerful story! I feel I’ve not been very free with giving away the spiritual gifts I’ve been given. I want to do better. “Skepticism fidgets” – I need to most past it.
Lisa, I have a feeling you may use those gifts more than you think. That heart I hear in your posts and comments leads me to believe that. So sorry I still can’t comment on your blog. I am reading though.
Wow that is powerful and pierces my little faith. Thank you for this encouragement to step out in faith.
My faith is small too, but I am thankful for moments in time that encourage growth like this one. Glad you were encouraged.
Thank you, Shelly, for sharing this story of God’s revealed power.
I have similar life stories of how God has miraculously intervened in life, with clear and obvious demonstrations of His power and love.
Yet, thru so much of life, we seem to walk half-blind, not sure of the next step, not knowing what God intends to do. So many prayers for which I fully expected a revelation of His power, and instead received a lesson in patience and trust.
And yet, there are those times I can go back to when “skepticism slaps me in the face and runs right out the door” in response to His overwhelming love demonstrated in power.
Joe, I can relate to everything you say here. It is common, this journey of faith we share and growing in who we are in Christ. We hang on to those moments that He shows His power in the in-between of life.
we are praying for my healing from Rheumatoid Arthritis – I know God intends to heal me – I’m also seeking to boldly follow Him without concern to what any others may think 🙂 It’s all for him!
Kelli, I will pray for healing for you too and the grace to handle it until then. And that following without concern of what others think, I know it is big. I’ve been there. And it is so rewarding, in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
really… I’ve been having problems with my right eyes for 6 weeks… have had it checked out and nothing seems wrong… but I’ve been praying for the supreme Healer… can you pray for me?
I’ll pray too…releasing the healing power of heaven to your eye in Jesus’ name.
Yes, I will. And will you keep me posted? Would be interested to hear about what happens.
It is so easy to let skepticism creep in and take over. I’ve left a similar story on the back burner…
Interestingly, He has brought someone back into our lives in the past few days that has to do with that story and now this post. He must be trying to get my attention.
Love those sacred echoes Trish. It’s been really nice connecting with you through Lent.