Laying of Hands...

Well today I turned 32. Not really anything to celebrate, just another year that has passed that I have been able to walk this planet. This year, my birthday was rough. One of the roughest in years to be honest. I spent my day trying to fight off my anxiety as I had doctor's appointments this afternoon. I am worried about the prognosis of what is going on with my body, but I know that it is all in His hands. No matter what, everything is going to be okay.

Tuesday night I was in bible study. We were doing something different this Tuesday however since someone else was leading. It was a welcomed surprise, in fact I had hoped we would have another study like this again. We all sat in a circle facing each other, going over a series of daily devotionals that had been presented to us. On of the topics we were covering was that of prayer. One of the points that came up in the discussion is how does one pray, is there a right way to pray? The men sat and thought, pondering over this idea of “what is the right way to pray, or is there even a right way to pray?”. Then someone spoke up, “It does not matter how you do it, what matters is that you do it. Prayer changes everything. It is how we connect to God.” That stood out to me, for so long I had been wondering if how I was praying was the correct way. If that what I was praying for were the right things to be reaching out to God about. It matters not how I pray, it matters that I pray. That I lift my anxieties, my hurt, my anger, my jealousy, all of it to Him. I give it all to God, and ask for His divine wisdom in my life to help me through these issues I have. The night proceeded with many more discussions including topics of grace, forgiveness, meditation on the word, as well as other topics (I would list them but I do not have the hand out in front of me to do so.) As the night drew to an end and we started to close out in prayer, something happened. The leader of the night looked to me and said, “Mitch, would you mind sitting in the middle so we can lay our hands on you, and pray for you, over you.” Holding back tears I said, “Please do..” There a moments in your life where time can stand still and you are stuck in that moment. This was one of those moments in my life. As I sat in that chair, I felt time stop, I felt something just stir inside me. I felt the heartbeat of each and every one of the men in that room. I truly felt the Holy Spirit, and I felt it move through me. As these men laid their hands on me, as each one of them prayed over me, as I prayed for these men, something within me whispered. It was said earlier in the night by one of these men, but it sat heavy on my heart. “What did he do to those that crucified and hung Him? He forgave them….” Immediately after this I heard the lightening outside crackle. As I drove home from bible study, I knew what I needed to do.

I got home with this whisper still resonating in my heart. God knows who I am better than I do myself. He knows where, when, and how to push me in the direction He wants me to go. As I prepared for bed, I entered into my War Room. I started praying to the Almighty. Putting my whole heart into the words, they just came pouring out. Not only was I praying with God, I was speaking with Him on a personal level, as if He were sitting in the chair next to me just listening to what I had to say. “Lord, you forgave those that put you on the cross. Teach me to forgive her. Teach me and show me how to love her Lord.” He listened. God was right there in the room with me, listening to everything I was saying to Him. I had heard a sermon before about being able to “make the right call” up the Almighty and He will respond. Well apparently I had made the right call, because as I was mid sentence of lifting everything up, the most adamant prayer warrior I know called me. (This is 10:30 to 10:40ish at night). Daniel Lang, was on the other end of that call. As I picked up my cell phone, I just chuckled a little bit and hit answer. Daniel and I talked for a couple minutes. I had mentioned to him that I was in the middle of prayer when he called. He responded with, “I'm so sorry to interrupt you.” I just responded with, “Daniel don't be sorry. There is a reason you called me at this specific time. Banquet taught there are no such things as coincidences. Let me tell you what is going on right now.” The conversation continued for a little bit longer before we said our good byes. As I hung up the phone, I saw that I had received an email from Mom with scripture of encouragement for my doctor's appointment today. Even more proof that Christ was here, now, right by my side. I could feel my heart change. I could feel the Holy Spirit move within me. Reaching out and just asking for healing, asking for His amazing grace in my life, I could feel the change. Last night at that moment, I knew no matter what comes my way, everything is going to be okay. It is all in His hands. I have nothing to worry about, no reason to doubt, no reason not to forgive, and nothing to feel angry, or jealous, or envious about. He has given me every reason to love and understand, regardless of the situation. So I choose to follow His path in this regard, and not follow my own. My choice, has made all the difference in the world. That no matter what: We Get Through This. What an amazing 24 hours this has been. Just outright awesome, and scary but that is for another time to write about. Lastly, since it is my birthday I am giving a gift, not to myself but to you. You are forgiven. Our slate is clean.

Teach me to do your will

      for you are my God,

may your good Spirit

     lead me on level Ground.

Psalm 143:10