When we first met “L”, he was a broken man, staring without hope at death’s door. Having been hospitalized for rampant, ulcerated infections throughout his body, he lay in the hospital bed, a shell of the man he had been. The employer, who had first brought “L” to the hospital, had run out of resources and so there was no medicine, no food, no sanitation.
”L” had given up hope of healing and was waiting to die.
The day his daughter found Rusty in the hospital lobby and begged him to come see her father, the next step in God’s plan for "L’s” life began. It was to be a glorious, yet long journey that we did not have eyes big enough to see. You see, we began to help “L” that day at the Lord’s prompting, but God was doing something so much bigger than we understood at the moment.
We’ve shared “L’s” story with churches and individuals we met with on our last furlough. Sadly, there was more to “L’s” heartbreaking story than we understood when we first met. We were soon to learn that “L” had an awful past— plagued with alcoholism and abuse, the early death of his wife and the disdain of his community. People said, “You can’t help him, Sir. He’s a bad man. He’s lead a bad life and done shameful things.”
God said otherwise.
Over the next year and half “L” slowly regained his health. As he gradually began to walk, the very first place he walked was to church!
He began to read his Bible and was faithful in church attendance. And we rejoiced! And shared his story across the globe! A beautiful portrait of the life transforming power of Jesus! A precious reminder that NO ONE is beyond the reach of Christ!
It was victory! But God wasn’t done yet!
Shortly after we arrived back in the Philippines we learned that “L” had requested to be baptized! This was such good news! Our hearts were overjoyed!
And we thought God was finished….
But sometimes our prayers aren’t big enough!
A group of pastors and lay people from the provinces meet together near here for seminary level training once a month. This continuing education has proven to a wonderful resource for rural Pastors who lack the resources and time get training in the seminaries that are far from their homes, families and churches.
Last month, “L” asked the pastor if he could attend the classes with him, because he wanted to learn more about the Word of God and to be trained to teach the Bible in his community!
So I ask you, are your prayers too small? Ours sure were! In the beginning we begged God to spare “L’s” life. Then we prayed that Holy Spirit would draw “L’s” heart to Jesus. We rejoiced in those answered prayers but never dreamed the God sized dream that “L” might someday be used of God to share the Gospel in his tribe!
We serve a big God and “L’s” story is a powerful reminder that nothing is impossible with Him! Let’s not set our sights on small things, after all it is not our work, not our power, not our plan! When we are obedient in doing the small things with great love, often God meets us in our weakness and does the things that are exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine.
So friends, take it one day at time, do the next thing Jesus asks you to do, show great love and pray BIG prayers! Then stand back and watch what our amazing God will do!
What big things are you asking the King of the Universe for? We’d love to join you in big prayers!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
