im.por.tu.ni.ty (noun)
- wearisome persistence
- the fact of being troublesomely demanding or insistent
- persistent demand
- a demand made repeatedly or insistently
Jesus advocates this type of behavior when he is teaching his disciples how to pray in Luke 11:5-8. This is further reinforced in James 4:2, Isaiah 59:16, Isaiah 64:7, and my favorite, Isaiah 62:6-7 – “I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (I’d like to encourage you to look up the other Scripture references mentioned here – they are fascinating.)
He’s been telling me to “pray without ceasing.” That would be a direct quote from the LORD. He started telling me that when I arrived at the hospital in Knoxville, and He has not stopped. The problem with that is I don’t know who or what to pray for. Lately, the only thing definite that He’s shown me is that He is in charge and that I’m to pray for His will to be accomplished… My Spirit has been jumping like crazy – it is as I write this – but I don’t know who, what, why or how. It’s quite frustrating, actually. Maybe it’s a smokescreen from satan…
Now, I’m a person who likes specificity. I like to be told how to pray for someone or something. I think that’s the warrior in me. I like to know my battles – what I’m up against. I’ve heard stories about intercessors who can “read someone’s mail.” They hear specifics about someone and serve as sort of a Spiritual seeing-eye dog for whomever they are assigned to. I’m not quite that fine-tuned into His voice yet. I have some people on my Spiritual radar, and I hear so clearly exactly what He wants them to do, where He wants them to be, how they need to pray – really specific stuff, and it is knowledge that is not mine – it has to be from Him. And, it’s knowledge about random friends in random situations. But lately it comes and goes – like there is a switch on the radar and Someone is having a good time flipping it on and off. Weird, huh? Anything odd is God – that’s my motto.
What’s cool and frustrating about this current state of events is that He’s not allowing me to “see” or “hear” specifics. I’m fully dependent on Him to do what needs to be done – He just wants me to pray. Honestly, I hate this place. (gasp) OK, so that’s not quite true, but it’s incredibly frustrating – have I mentioned that I’m frustrated yet???
I have this sense of urgency – this knowing that something big is going on and I don’t have a clue. I like having a clue. I think He’s showing me importunity without specifics. What’s that about? I’m searching my radar desperately, needing to know who needs what, and I’m getting hardly anything. I’ll be glad when I figure this one out. This particular lesson is getting old. Yeah, I know – down with the flesh. And yes, I know – this is not about me. Blegh.
The Scripture for today is 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.” I think I’m a hand… constantly tugging at Him for answers, or raised in battle against the enemy of God. According to everything I can find in Scripture, He likes that kind of stuff. It hasn’t felt like it lately, for sure, but I know He’s trying to show me something BIG. I think I’ll do a jig around the living room with the dog when this particular lesson is learned…
OK, so enough whining. He is in control of this, and may He receive ALL the glory for EVERYTHING in my life. To God be the GLORY – even when I can’t see – He can, and He is glorified. May His name be praised in all the earth.
3 comments:
Importunity is a word that is not often used any more. The action of this word sometimes doesn't go over too well with people, but its action does not annoy God at all and just shows that you have a solid commitment. ec
Hey Mr Eddie - thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the encouragement.
I grinned at the "wearisome persistence" definition. I know He is slow to anger and rich in love, and I am very thankful that He does not grow weary of me and my antics.
Better be careful . I hear people can break bones dancing around with dogs:).
The radar is a really cool thing. It's neat how God draws us together in the Body. Just like how the hands and feet help each other when doing things like climbing, He shows us things so we can help each other as the Body. I am very grateful for your radar, some very cool things have come about because of it.
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