“What can we say, what can we do to show our humble gratitude?”
This line is from the song What Can We Say on our CD Your Love Remains.
As we boarded a plane in Manchester, England heading home after 10 days of ministry, this song was ringing in my heart. What can we say after everything we had just witnessed & experienced during these beautiful worship & teaching times?
To see the hand of God leading our steps as we ministered
grace to agrieving congregation after losing one of their
precious elders to cancer just a week before we arrived;
To teach & preach in Bible schools and have
students tell us their lives will never be the same;
To see people on their knees in tears as God’s presence
overwhelmed us while we worshiped Him;
To experience the things that God does on the inside of us and hear
Him speakto us intimately; All of this simply leaves us speechless!
When we experience the Holy Spirit working so intimately in our lives, sometimes it’s hard to articulate it. Paul even said he was caught up into the Third Heaven, seeing and hearing things that were inexpressible.
But I do know, that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they
cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. (1 Corinthians 12:2)
Sometimes I leave a meeting and God does something so deep in my heart that I just can’t explain. Other times in a similar situation, He may speak something very clear to my heart but it’s still hard to convey with words.
But you know what? That’s ok.
When God touches you that deeply, it may be hard to express because it’s a word from Him just for you! In fact, some of these secret things are very special and meant to be kept between you and Him. Don’t feel like you have to share everything God shows you or does in your life with everyone.
I know I’ve found myself sharing with a friend a very intense revelation God spoke to my heart that really blessed me, only to find him looking at me like I was crazy! He didn’t get it. Why? Because it was something that was meant for ME alone. Bottom line is that some of the things The Lord speaks to our hearts should be kept and guarded as a precious pearl and only shared when and if He allows us.
The Bible says of Mary after she heard and observed her young 12 year-old son Jesus, “But his mother kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart”. (Luke 2:51) David also said in Psalms 119:11, “Your Word have I hid in my heart.” There are some things that just need to stay hidden in our hearts.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, there are other things He may speak in your quiet time that He wants you to share with your whole world (Matthew 10:27- shout from the rooftops), but let’s learn to discern when to share and when not to.
Let’s especially keep that in mind during holiday seasons when many of us will see relatives for the first time in a while: They don’t need your new revelation or even a sermon from you every time they see you. 🙂
In fact Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 3:2 that you are essentially a living epistle, read by all men. In other words, your life, your love and your actions is what they will be reading even when you are unaware of it. In a sense, YOU are the Bible they are reading, and in some cases you are the only source of light & real life that they may ever encounter. Therefore let’s remember to allow everything we do and say to be seasoned with lots of love and compassion.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most
of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive
so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)
We pray that we would all Let your light shine before men so they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven! And let’s remember to keep those intimate things hidden in our hearts and walk in wisdom toward everyone we meet.
Sincerely,
