A Rabbit, Lord?
I had no idea who he was. One of our church members was his classmate in school. It was his first time to visit our church. It was obvious he was a Chinese businessman. At the end of the service his friend brought him forward to introduce him to me. After our brief conversation I offered to pray for him. He nodded in agreement.
Eyes closed as I prayed, the Lord gave me a picture of rabbit. I asked, "A rabbit Lord?" I sensed the familiar presence of the Holy Spirit was leading me to give the man a word of encouragement.
I opened my eyes and told him about the vision. Then I said, "I believe the Lord gave me a picture of the kind of person that you are. You are naturally good, you are a good son, brother, student and even as a businessman you have always done good. You are the type of person who never brought trouble on others and rarely got into trouble." I added, "You're the exact opposite of me."
His friend stared quizzically at me and said, "that's him. that's exactly him, how did you know all that?" Then I said, "I don't, but the Holy Spirit does." I turned back to the visitor and said, "as naturally good as you are, the Lord wants to show you that-that is not enough. You need the salvation of Jesus Christ and God has brought you here to hear the message of the Gospel."
The man wept as we prayed. I introduced them to the other pastors and told him he needed to get discipled. He said, "I will be back next week." Here's three thoughts on the incident:
1. No one knows people quite like God. When connecting with people, connect first to God. The Holy Spirit is always ready to speak to people and He uses ordinary people like us to be conduits to touch people. I find that often my prophetic visions or words work best when I give them to people I don't know. That way I know that it has nothing to do with me but all to do with God.
2. Personal connections are just as important as preaching moments. One allows the power of the Word of God flow through the passion and personality of the preacher. Personal ministry imparts God's way of making the person know He is a personal God. Actually both work together. This is why all Christians need to be activated. There is just not enough pastors and ministers to touch all people personally.
3. God uses our connection to Him to connect others. It's an amazing privilege to be able to hear God and to be able to discern His will and plans for others. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do that. As Christians we should not doubt that ability. It is not reserved for a few but for all who confess the name of Jesus. It is an uplifting feeling to be able to connect God.
The man left church that day experiencing a connection with God and others. I went home exhilarated that God has used me to connect others to Him, yet again. Thanks Lord!
"...do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" Matthew 13:11
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