I looked down at the young woman on the stretcher in front of me. Her face twisted in pain as she held her side. It was then I responded to the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart as compassion and love fought for release.
“I’d like to pray for you if that’s okay…”
We had responded to a young woman experiencing intense discomfort. I’d crossed through the front door to find a hospital bed fixed in the back room as if the house had never been without it.
My patient spent most of her time on the bed and as I approached I could already feel the Lord begin to stir my heart.
“Here’s her medical history,” her mother said. She began to tell me everything my patient was going through and at the top of the list was a terminal disease. Sorrow bore into my heart like an auger.
I made contact with the young woman and discovered that the problem today was not related to the terminal issue but a chronic issue nonetheless. I could feel the weight of God’s own heart as she told me about what was happening and how much pain she was in.
It wasn’t too long after that we were headed towards the hospital and I was ready to be a conduit for God to pour Himself through.
She turned towards me eyes wide despite the pain in her side. “Yes, I would love that,” she said.
“Is it okay if I put my hand on your shoulder?”
Her voice was strained as if there weren’t enough breath words. “Yes.”
I put my hand on her shoulder as she reached over and held my other hand. I sat silently for a moment waiting for the Lord to give me the words to speak. It wasn’t long before His voice began to churn in me and through me. I could feel His presence increasing.
The words He spoke over her were an invitation into even deeper portions of His heart. He reminded her of all He’d been for her in the past while assuring her that His feelings for her were even more than she could imagine. He spoke about what He would continue to be for her and the plans that He had for her.
The love, peace and tenderness of the Lord hung heavy in the air like wet cloud covering us with the dew of His love. I released healing over her body and battled against sickness and disease as led by the Lord.
Her tears were tiny raindrops rolling down her cheeks. “Thank you so much for that,” she said and squeezed my hand. Her countenance had become peace. I could almost see the arms of Jesus around her, holding her close.
She rolled onto her back and smiled. “The pain, it’s better.” She turned her head back to me. Her voice was no longer strained but her words were soft, an expression of her heart. “You’re a real Christian,” she said. “I can tell.”
I thought about her words as we headed back to the station after transferring her to the ER. A real Christian? What would make her say that? Was it the prophecy or the healing or the prayer or something like that?
I was mulling it over when I heard the soft voice of the Lord say, while those things were good they weren’t the reason she said that. It was love. You loved her. That’s how she knew you were a real follower of Mine.
The words struck and penetrated my heart. Love. It’s the only thing that really matters. It’s the only thing that has the power to truly impact another. The gifts of the Spirit in operation are a beautiful thing but only if they are wielded from a foundation of love.
If I was not able to love her as God does perhaps she gets healed. Perhaps she hears the words God spoke over her. For we know that God often rises above our shortcomings. But the chances of those words impacting her heart are low. The chances of her continuing on as if the experience never happened are high.
Jesus said that we will be known, not by how well we use the gifts He’s distributed to us, but by how well we are able to love (John 13:35). Paul tells us that without love we are just a gong…just noise (1 Cor. 13:1). Paul also tells us that the one thing to be pursued above all else is love. He implores us to eagerly pursue and seek to acquire it. He tells us to make it our greatest quest (1 Cor. 14:1). He calls it the greatest gift of all (1 Cor. 13:13).
The gifts alone have the power to change lives, circumstances, direction, etc. But love is the only thing that has the power to change hearts. If we minister as led by gifts we will accomplish little that has eternal value. If we minister as led by love we will accomplish much.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey
http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey
Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
Add new comment