By Abenezer Amanuel

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. -Psalm 121:1-2-

It was a very hot day in Texas (as is the case 364 of 365 days of the year) but this day was especially hot and humid. I was at a local park where most people enjoy their weekends with their families, loved ones, or even by themselves. I had gone there with my church to evangelize and everyone was busy doing different things. Me being me I stood clueless on the sideline very much annoyed by the sun trying to avoid it until someone finished setting up the sound system and keyboard so that I can start playing a little at least. To be honest, I was always scared of evangelism because it required interacting with people. Random people I have never seen and that for me, as an introvert was a nightmare. So whenever we go out to the park or anywhere to evangelize I would dread the idea of talking to people. But don’t get me wrong that was me years ago. Now, God has revealed who he is and his message so clearly that I just want to share all he is and what he does to the world every opportunity I get. It is beautiful and amazing how God just works in each and every one of us when we let go and let him take over. He has been working on this part of me these past years and has truly given me the confidence and filled me with his holy spirit getting rid of every spirit of fear. Now, Whenever I interact with people my hope and prayer are that it leads to a place where they would hear the gospel. I just want to let the whole world know that JESUS SAVES!

Going back to the story, I started. So, On that day, A couple of brothers were working on setting up speakers and connecting them to the keyboard and mic so that the worship team can get started. Some of the evangelism crew spread out to hand out booklets to people passing by and have a few conversations with whoever was willing. One of the keyboardists at my church at the time was fixing the keyboard and trying to secure the keyboard stand in place and since he needed help he saw that I was standing nearby so he called me. I was in the heat standing and at the time I was like “really bro? why can’t you just leave me be? I don’t want to. ahh,” On the inside of course I wouldn’t say such a thing out loud because…you know…yeah. Anyways, I grumbled my way over to him and stood there holding the stand on the opposite side as he was putting the finishing touches. Then right behind me, I heard a huge blow of the wind and a big “THUD!“. I turned around very slowly saying to myself, “ugh. what now?” and to my complete surprise, I saw that one of the speakers has fallen off of the stand and landed right where I was standing just few seconds ago. I am not even exaggerating it was like SPOT ON! Where did that kind of wind even come from, to begin with? No clue. The place where the speaker fell was so precise that I can tell you that If I had not gone over to help the brother out, that speaker would have landed on my headed and placed me in a coma or even ended my life. Just like THAT. No joke. This was like an “Abenezer, Pause. Reflect. What just happened? What is God trying to teach you here? Surely there is a lesson to take from this” moment for me. I could not stop thinking about it. I mean, the First lesson is obvious which is the fact that at that moment, God saved my life. “What was the second (not too obvious but subtle) lesson though? What is it God? What is that you want me to take from this moment?” I continued to meditate on what happened. I went back and forth with that thought in my head and finally, God taught me one big thing from this experience.

You see, I was there in the sun, standing, all uncomfortable and tired and just trying to get it over with. Kind of like how some of us feel in the house of God while we serve him. The atmosphere we are in might not be suitable and might even cause so much discomfort that you don’t see anything happening and feel like you are in a spiritual Desert. You feel drained. Sometimes you wonder, “what am I even doing here? What good can come from me being here serving even when I feel so empty and drained on the inside?” But here comes the good part. I understood that the brother working on the keyboard was like the ministry that God has prepared for us in our church according to the grace and gift we have been given. God calls us to come to him and do his work despite our weakness and our unwillingness he says “Come. Take on the lighter burden. Whatever you have, bring that and I will use it for my Glory”. Scripture to support this can be found in Matthew 14:13-21 where Jesus feeds the 5000 with the 5 loaves and 2 fish the little boy had given him. With that act of obedience, you save your life, benefit other believers, and bring glory to God. Sometimes We might grumble when the LORD tells us to do such things because we don’t get it right away. We don’t know what he is trying to do and what he is saving us from. He would say “serve me” and we would expect him to lay out all the details and layout of all he is going to do. However, this is where your best friend Faith steps in. I highly recommend that you hold on to Faith. It helps a lot on this journey we are on as foreigners in this land.

Also, The other thing is, When God says “move from that place you are in and come, serve me”, It is because he knows where you are standing. You might be thinking you are resting and that is the best place you can be but it is not the place that God has for you. You see, when we feel weak, Our strength is in serving him and doing his work. Brothers and Sister, I want to encourage you today that even in your weakness, learn to obey the voice of God and serve him in the area of ministry he has placed you in. Is it going to be an instant thing where you are like “Okey Dokey I am gonna serve the LORD woohoo let’s Go”? No. Sometimes it is “ugh. But I am so tired. Why? I don’t even have enough energy. Give. me. a. break.” but ALWAYS remember the greater calling that God has placed in your life and the generation that God sees through you. The best part is that he is with you in all this strengthening you and reminding you that his grace is sufficient. Also, don’t forget that God rewards everyone according to their work. So, Be strengthened in the grace and spirit of God and never grow weary in serving God and doing good. Even at the moment where it all seems to be meaningless, whether you understand it or not, know that God’s calling in your life goes way past what you see. Like the earlier apostles did, leave whatever it is that you have behind and trust in the LORD and follow him! Have faith that he will guide you all the way. It is going to be for the glory of God. It is going to save you and others that are watching you. Be of great courage!

Grace, Love, and Peace to you and yours in Christ Jesus.

Your sister in Christ, Abenezer.