The Eyes of the Lord

“Halleluuuuujahhhh!” It was the response our friend Bissi Abraham had to the first part of my news. Bissi had followed God’s call to Palmerston North from his home in Nigeria. He had seen his nation transformed with the power of God and came to New Zealand to see the same thing happen there. We had a lot in common – although I haven’t yet seen the dead raised – it was an encouragement to know God was calling us from around the world.

I was in his Friday night meeting. I think the week before he had me share, this week I came to be around people with great faith. Bissi asked for anyone to share what God was saying to them. I spoke up and shared confirmation of an email  we received from a friend, Julie Petty, that encouraged us a few months before.

The email was actually confirmed prophetically on two other occasions, by Russell Williams our pastor and by Rodney Francis a prophecy teacher.  All three said it in different ways: God had plans for us we did not expect, we would emerge from the chrysalis as a butterfly, and – as Julie had written -like Abram we would receive a new name.

Well, it happened for me the day when I heard God say: “I’ve given you time to write, why are you doing everything but?” That Friday I shared with the group that I had been given a new name. “Halleluuuuujahhhh!” was Bissi’s response.

I think the group was taken back when I continued. “Women define themselves by their relationships. Men define themselves by the work they do. The thought occurred to me that if all of us defined ourselves by who we are in Christ, we wouldn’t need society’s approval with who we are. The name Christ names us with should be sufficient, because he is sufficient. I would have saved myself months of self-pity if I would have lived what I already knew.”

I went to New Zealand thinking how much I had given up for the cause of Christ. It gave me pride, and that pride gave me pain. God was longing for my heart to be wholly committed to him, so that he could strengthen me. I, once again, needed to come to the end of myself. Though I couldn’t rely on reputation or relationships in NZ, I still relied on my talents and strength. God waited to relieve my struggle so that I knew I hadn’t done anything of my own ability.

Take my advice: it’s wisdom to learn from others and stupidity to make the same mistake yourself.  Live out of who you are in Christ for he will strengthen the heart fully committed to him.

–Trevor Lund