Happy Friday, everyone!
Fridays are usually pretty light and fun … but this entry isn’t light at all .. it’s pretty heavy and intense. I am apprehensive about posting it and I’m not even sure if I should read whatever comments may come my way … but I’m open to what people think. It has to do with “the supernatural”.
Several things have happened in the last few days which keep me thinking about this subject. One of the most profound is the revelation that one of my blog friends (I’ve got this whole network of web2.0 blog relationships now!) has recently discovered that he has Stage 4 colon cancer. His name is Stef Tarapchak … he’s around my age and is an awesome man of God who is a regular contributor on AC180, another great blog with multiple contributors encouraging men in their walk. This is some heavy news and I’d encourage everyone to step up and pray diligently for Stef. My prayer is that he would be completely healed from this disease - that God’s redeeming power would be displayed in and through him.
The issue has opened the door to a lot of discussion on healing. I wouldn’t necessarily put “healing” in the same boat as “supernatural” … the Bible actually mentions “gifts of healings” and “supernatural miracles” as two separate gifts. (see 1 Cor 12 .. verse 9, 10, and 28 especially). I am a firm believer in both “healings” and “miracles” and it saddens me that so many discount this as something that is “not for today”. I believe God can heal instantly (miracle), over time, and I absolutely, totally believe that God can use medicine, doctors, etc., to bring about healing. I’m nowhere close to a “natural remedies” type person in how I practice and live my lifestyle, but the truth is I believe that God has probably given us so much that we already need for healing just in the various natural remedies we have here on the earth. The whole debate of “is healing God’s plan for everyone” comes into play … I try to keep my mouth shut, because you seldom “win someone over” to your way of thinking … but I usually wind up talking about what I believe anyway.
But that’s just a small part of this thing God is showing me.
Why don’t we see MORE of the supernatural? It’s the same with all of us - we hear stories of signs, wonders, and miraculous things happening all over the world … sometimes we leave the USA and go on a mission trip and witness/see things that are supernatural and miraculous, only to come back to our churches and accept the reality that those things “just don’t happen around here”.
Here’s what I think … we just don’t BELIEVE.
I’m the first to confess … I’m a skeptic. In my heart, I believe. From my own personal Bible study … I believe. Yet, in reality … my mental capacity and life’s experience constantly TRUMP that. That’s wrong, I confess … but it’s true. Notice, I said “it’s true” .. but it is NOT “Truth” … did you get that? … I’m saying “it’s true, but it’s not Truth”.
A few examples:
- recently, someone showed me a few pictures that were taken … in the pictures, 3 crosses were displayed in the clouds … a very breathtaking, clear visual. Almost every fiber of my being thought “wonder what sicko Photoshopped that”. Could and Would God do such a thing? A beautiful display in the clouds, reminding us of His work on the cross. I BELIEVE - ABSOLUTELY. Yet, you see and read what my mind said. As I gazed more I put the picture down and softly said “God, I want to believe”.
- recently, there was a prophecy calling the church to pray to avert a terrorist plot. I believe in the prophetic gifts and office … yet, I found myself thinking “oh brother, more doom and gloom, here we go again” … yet, God’s Word says “do NOT despise prophesy” (1 Thes 5:20) … leaving me fearful at my own attitude.
- years ago, there was a revival of sorts that came through our area with some weird manifestations … specifically, “gold dust”. I dunno if it was gold, glitter, plastic, or what .. but all I know is that because I was one of the musicians asked to play during this time period … I was “up close and personal”. There was NO WAY it could’ve been faked. I watched closely - I observed … I tried to figure it out .. but I couldn’t see anything fishy going on … yet … a HUGE PART of me kept saying “I dunno … I dunno if I really believe this”. (someone asked “why would God do something like that” … and the response from one of my dear friends was “I can’t explain that anymore than I can explain why God made an ax head float”. (see 2 Kings 6:6)
I could go on and on … I think you get the idea. I’m not trying to prove anything … I’m not trying to push anything … that’s not the purpose of my post today … the purpose of my post is to confess, publicly … that I don’t like my skepticism. I think the skepticism I feel is shared by the bulk of the church … probably because we’ve seen some fake, carnal stuff that has burned us. But isn’t God bigger than that? When there is something of great TRUTH, WORTH, and VALUE … won’t their ALWAYS be a COUNTERFEIT?
As I type this, tears seem to well up in my eyes. There is this familiar feeling I’m having … I know it well … I’ve just realized something. No kidding - I’ve just figured this out. Now, I know why I weep EVERY SINGLE TIME I watch “The Polar Express“. I’ve never been able to figure it out … few movies compel me to just lose myself and start weeping. I’ve said it over and over … “something in this movie is getting to me”. At the end of this movie, when the little boy finally hears the bell .. and he believes … it overwhelms me to the point of tears.
I realize now .. it’s not just about Santa Claus … it’s a much bigger revelation.
I weep because the Spirit inside of me is longing, crying out, and yearning to …
BELIEVE.
“I believe Lord, help me in my unbelief”. (Mark 9:24)
OK … so now it’s your time to confess.
Laying it before you with all transparency,
Fred
