Open for Business

On a recent vacation to the beach, my husband and I were abruptly switched from our reserved unit to completely different accommodations on a different island because of a broken air conditioner.  A week at the beach without AC is unthinkable, so we agreed to the move, even though we were unfamiliar with the island.  But after less than a day at our new location, we wanted to return to our original pick.  The following day, with the AC issue resolved, we were offered that option.  Realizing that neither of us had honestly asked the Lord for His guidance, we proceeded to do so, and independently discovered that God actually wanted us to stay put.  As it turned out, God gave us a 3-bedroom cottage (versus a tiny 1-bedroom apartment), wide virtually unpopulated beaches (instead of typical June crowding), and the needed exercise of biking then hiking the distance to the beach (opposed to a lazy half-block shuffle).  In addition, we had the joy of marine-life theater, exploration, and new discovery.  None of these blessings would have been ours had we not been open to finding out what God was doing.

It appears this is standard practice for the Lord: doing a profound work in situations that present as negative, and not explaining Himself at the time.  It is a test of trusting Him to inquire, then trusting Him to obey even when it doesn’t make sense.  It is the truth of His Word in Romans 8:28 AMP. “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” The catch is that we have to be open to His Truth and trust His Nature.

The Acts account of Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman Centurion, highlights one of the greatest blessings of being open that we can receive apart from salvation.  His heart before the Lord prompted God to send an angel with the message that he should invite Peter to come visit. It was limited information, but Cornelius obeyed without knowing exactly why.  Likewise, God told Peter to make the journey with no explanation other than he had the Lord’s permission to ignore Jewish law prohibiting him to stay at the home of a gentile.  As Cornelius was a man great influence, he had filled his home with family and friends to hear Peter.  The openness of this group produced a blessing that surprised everyone, including Peter and his companions. The Holy Spirit fell in power upon the gentile believers, causing them to speak in tongues and praise God while Peter was in the midst of speaking.

This is the same Holy Spirit that descended upon Jesus when He was baptized at the Jordan by John, and the same Holy Spirit of Whom Jesus instructed His disciples. “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” (John 16:7 AMP)  Jesus’ final instructions to them: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)  The disciples desired Jesus above all else, so they were open to what they did not understand.

It is noteworthy that Jesus could not do the work of the Father without the power of the Holy Spirit. If that was true for Him, how much more do we need His power to fulfill our God-calling and purpose?  “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)  Kingdom work can only be accomplished in Kingdom power, and that means being equipped with power from on high. When we feel we lack the understanding we desire, the telling question is how open are we really to doing God’s business?