Prayer Warrior

In the pouring rain, driving south on I-65 at 8:00 Thursday morning, we approached the base of the long bridge leading from Indiana into Kentucky. We didn’t know that the water was draining from the bridge and pooling till we hit that shallow spot and hydroplaned. The updraft from a speeding semi-truck next to us started us spinning. We did two complete revolutions crossing three lanes of rush hour traffic before hitting the median barricade. The battery shorted out, and instantly the car stopped. Miraculously, we didn’t hit anyone, and no one hit us. The car was totaled.

The man driving the car behind me said, “I don’t know what stopped my car. I thought I was going to hit you.” I told him my angels stopped his car.

The tow truck operator and the responding police officer said they clean up wrecks there every time it rains. They couldn’t believe we were alive.

My three year old son said, “Do it again, Mom!”

That morning, I should have seen my life flash before my eyes, one scene at a time as I prepared to meet Jesus face to face, but it didn’t. Strange as it seems, I heard only one voice. At the height of the chaos, I heard my father’s steady, logical voice. “Pump the brakes and turn INTO the spin.”

In a crisis, what’s your first reaction? Will you panic? Do you roll with the punches? In my case, even though I’d never actually tested the maneuver, my dad had prepared me, and my training kicked in. The adrenaline was pumping, but my father’s words came back at the moment I needed them.

While I was doing what I’d been taught, angels were working to guard our lives. In bumper-to-bumper, morning traffic those ministering spirits moved every car out of the way, and they stopped the one right behind me. It’s virtually impossible to have a one-car accident on I-65 at 8:00AM on a work day. That’s why the policemen were flabbergasted.

In the same way my dad prepared me for an unforeseen crisis, so our Heavenly Father prepares us for emergencies to come. Are we listening? When the critical moment comes, will it be His words ringing in our ears? Or will we panic wondering what to do?

Spirit of Truth

Our Father prepares us for what is to come, though often we can only recognize that training in hindsight. Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit. “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me… When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (Jn. 15:26, 16:13)

It is God’s heart to prepare us for what is to come, but we have a stake in the matter, too. My father was a good teacher, and I was an eager student. If I had chosen to ignore his lessons, though, my children and I would have reaped the consequences. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher, but we must be willing pupils to reap the benefits of His instruction.

David prayed, “Teach me the way I should walk…. Teach me to do Your will.” (Ps. 143:8,10) Is that our heart cry, too? Are we in tune with the Holy Spirit’s voice enough that we could learn the path we should walk and how to accomplish His will on earth?

Quandary

Jesus offers freedom, life and peace, but the flesh is so enticing. If you want it all, truly you must seek the Spirit of Life who can only be found in Jesus. (Rom. 8:2) Open that door and let the Spirit guide your steps. (Gal. 5:25) Close the door and quench the Spirit. (1 Th. 5:19) All we do is make the choice to let the Spirit move through us, then the rest is up to Him. (Phil. 2:12-13) That’s where faith comes in. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because without faith, we close the door that gives the Spirit access. (Heb. 11:6)

Life expires so quickly. We are but a vapor (Jms. 4:14), a fading flower. (Ps. 103:15) Our life is but a breath, a moment in time. (Ps. 39:5) Then, life is gone. This is our proving ground. Will we believe? Will we trust? If eternity exists, then to follow Jesus is a simple choice. This brief life exists only to prepare us for what is to come.

God fashioned us, each one. He knows you. He understands your limits. (Ps. 139) Will you believe what He says? He marked out you days before there was even one. (Ps. 139:15) He has a plan for your life. Will you trust Him? “All who are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14)  Will you be led by the Spirit of God? When it is time, He will prepare you and give you the Kingdom’s keys. (Mt. 16:19)

But Never Alone

We are not alone. We do not walk solo. God gave us a family to help along the way. Do we neglect each other? We will never see the entire picture, the Master’s plan. He will not show His entire plan to one individual. Instead, each of us has a puzzle piece, so that we must come together. (1 Cor. 12:7-31) In our unity and love, the world sees Jesus. (Jn. 17:21, 23)

He has prepared us for what is to come. He walks with us. (Heb. 13:5) He sent the Spirit to guide us every step of the way (Jn. 14:16), and He gave us each other to encourage and edify along the journey. (1 Th. 5:11) Our days on earth are few. Let’s make the most of them. (Ps. 90:12)

Supernatural

“Having done everything, stand firm.” (Eph. 6:13) He prepares us. All we can do is follow and hold our ground. Occasionally, probably more often than we recognize, God sends an angel to shelter us. “He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” (Ps. 91:11) My life has been spared so many times, that the supernatural can be the only explanation. As my car slid all over the interstate that day, it was only His tender mercy that moved the cars around us. God graciously intervenes in the lives of men. When we reach our limit, He is always there to meet us and carry us. (Ps. 107:30)

Crisis Comes

When the time of crisis comes into your life, will your days flash before your eyes, or will you hear your Father’s voice? “This is the way, walk in it.” (Is. 30:12) Listen to the Spirit of Life. (Gen. 7:22, Rom. 8:2) He will train you. (Lk. 12:12, Jn. 14:26) He will guide you. (Jn. 16:13) He will comfort and encourage. (Acts 9:31) He only speaks what He hears from the Father (Jn. 16:13)

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) That faith opens the door so the Spirit can work. If you look back to the old life you left when you came logical to Jesus, you have the opportunity to return. (Heb. 11:15) Instead, focus on your destination. Let the Spirit work through you. That is a much better choice. (Heb. 11:16) Our God longs for us to be His people so that He can be our God. (Jer. 7:23) The choice is up to you. Will you allow the Spirit to train and prepare you for what is to come, or will you quench the Spirit? When the crisis comes, will your life flash before your eyes, or will the Father’s steady, voice resound in your ear? ♥