Living in a third-world country and in the worst place on
the planet for the AIDS epidemic, you come to expect miracles: praying for the
sick, praying for protection every day, praying for sanity – you see some small
miracle each day.
Last Sunday night, we had the storm of storms. It was, by far,
the worst storm any of us have ever been apart of. The lightning flashed every
second or two, the hail and downpour came for hours as this hellish outcry of
nature circled our house.
I was up for a long time, praying that it would pass and that
somehow the kids would sleep through it – then it happened. A bolt of lightning
hit the house! The house shook, the outlets blew, pitch darkness. The crash of
lightning was so loud that everybody, including me, ran to the living room
screaming and in panic.
Bam! Again, another bolt struck the house next to us!
Noah was trying to crawl inside me, Caleb was shaking, the girls were
speechless, and it may seem silly, but we needed God! We shouted out to God,
prophesied over the storm and in faith, eventually went back to bed.
The next day, the trees were shredded, trash everywhere, the
dog and the guy who guards our house at night were both very white; but, we
were whole and alive!
The next night, I was hit with strep throat and pneumonia. My
chest was tight, my throat was closed, I couldn’t breathe, and I started to
panic again. I paced the floor, tried to get into a steam shower, but the water
had been turned off (they shut our water down about three times a week for
hours at a time). As I was clamoring for air, the Lord said, “Stop. How
desperate are you, Gary? Now, lie down and know that I am God.”
As I lay there, trusting God to breathe for me, I had a
thought – we need to be desperate to see miracles. I have wondered for years
why we don’t see miracles in the American
Church. I have been
confused by the reality that millions drive to their church buildings every
Sunday, but don’t expect to see God move. Do we gather just to celebrate?
Moses was desperate. The enemy was coming. He had nowhere
to turn. He added faith by stepping in the water, and the waters parted. Peter
was desperate for the people of his day to see and know God. In Acts 3, he said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but
(he added faith) what I have I give you…” The lame man jumped to his feet and danced!
What do you think? Are desperation and faith the very
ingredients we need to see miracles? I am more desperate today then ever to
see God move.
