Psalm 90:4 For You, a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours! (NLT)
2 Peter 3:8 But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. (NLT)
A while back, I read an autobiography by a Marine sniper. He was sharing about some of the guys pulling guard duty in the pouring rain. (Shooter by Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin, USMC; and Capt. Casey Kuhlman, USMCR, with Donald A. Davis)
It sparked a memory of me doing the same thing, only I wasn’t pulling guard duty, I was standing vigil at the flagpole in front of the headquarters building. I had volunteered to stand vigil for POWs and MIAs (Prisoners of War and Missing in Action). It was a typical cold, rainy New England day.
Before I go on, you need to know this about me….I do not like being outside in cold, rainy weather! However, I didn’t notice the weather.
As I stood at parade rest, I began thinking of the men and women who gave their lives, were missing, and were prisoners of war. I thought of my Dad and “Unc” (my uncle) joining the Air Force during the draft, even though they didn’t want to go to war. I thought of them coming home to chaos and hatred from those who didn’t go.
I prayed for these brave souls in my own way….I didn’t know the Lord back then.
This memory sparked another one that took place in far northern Maine. It was a very cold and snowy day. I had gone to Walmart and saw the Teen Challenge folks out front. I told them I would get some money and donate once I came back out.
I came out and gave money and this man began telling me that he had almost finished the program but he was still so angry and unforgiving towards his father and couldn’t work through it. I told him that unforgiveness is like an onion you forget about in the pantry…..it grows sprouts and pretty soon, it’s this ugly, stinky, black mess and that forgiving is for us, to set us free.
I have no idea what else the Lord had me say to him, but it was exactly what he needed and I watched his face as the burden lifted from him! It was beautiful!
We must have talked three hours, and we weren’t cold until the ministering was done! God is so cool! Those three hours seemed like minutes!
John 11:49-51 And one of them,Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said,”How can you be so stupid? Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people.” This prophecy that Jesus should die for the entire nation came from Caiaphas in his position as high priest. He didn’t think of it himself; he was inspired to say it. (NLT)
When you are walking as Him, He will show you those who need ministering to and when you do it, you won’t notice anything but the one you are ministering to. In the supernatural, rain, cold, time, and feelings don’t exist, only Him, you and the one He wants to speak to.
Matthew 10:19b-20 …you will be given the right words at the right time. For it won’t be you doing the talking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (NLT)
Luke 12:12 …for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there.” (NLT)
Father, help us to see the hearts of those You want to minister to. Help us to know Your timing and allow You to flow out of us. Thank You, Abba, that as we get our eyes off ourselves, we can see perfectly clear. Abba, you are truly amazing! Thank You for loving others through us, may we not miss any opportunity placed before us. Amen.