More Than What We Asked For
"…He can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us." Ephesians 3:20
Have you ever experienced a strong urge to do something that may seem in the natural a bit out of the ordinary? I can honestly say that this doesn’t happen to me every time I pray, but when it does and I follow the leading of the Lord, it never disappoints.
When I was still living in the Philippines and working for a national ministry in Manila, I was asked to be part of a small group given the task of finding a location for our yearly ministry retreat. We wanted to find a place that would be nice and also cost effective. I felt a deep responsibility to use the money entrusted to us wisely. I wanted a 5-star place on a 1-star budget.
My team and I visited many different options in the city looking for that perfect place that offered us beauty, rest and privacy to worship God freely. The first day we were unable to find a place, and we all felt discouraged.
The second day we decided to go back to the area again, but this time we prayed earnestly for the Lord to give us wisdom and lead us to the right location. Shortly after that prayer time, we began to drive down a road with beautiful homes and I felt the unmistakable urging of the Holy Spirit to stop in front of one of the big beautiful houses that overlooked a popular lake in the area.
The rest of the team questioned me since this was a private home and there was not a sign advertising the house was for rent. It was out of character for me to be so bold to go to the door of a strange house, but I pressed on trusting the leading of the Lord.
I went to the door and explained my situation and what I was looking for. After they knew we were a ministry team looking for a retreat location for our 35-member staff, the owner allowed us to walk through the property to see if it was suitable for our group. It was so lovely I was worried what price they would charge us, but it turned out that God had a better plan. The owner allowed us to use her home free of charge and even provided a beautiful dinner the last day of our retreat.
The very best part of this divine appointment was the salvation of the owner and the opportunity to pray with her for physical healing.
When we seek him, trust His Word and listen to His voice, He can do far more than we think or imagine.
Do you have a need today? SEEK, TRUST AND OBEY.