While our kids were small, we set aside Monday nights as our family night. With the weekends busy in ministry, we wanted to make sure our family time was not ignored. Once the kids were home from school, it was just our family. No phones or appointments. Our goal was to have quality time and fun memories as a family. One of our family outings was going to feed ducks. Recently, I started working at an office next to the same pond we visited in those early years. On my breaks and at lunch, I often walk to the pond to feed ducks. Most days the creatures that come are not the ducks but the turtles. It’s fascinating to watch the turtles come from every area of the pond once I’m standing near the edge. I may not see the shell as they swim my way, but the small head is seen coming toward me and the ripples of the water are proof that they are coming. There’s probably about 20 turtles that come to feed. As I throw the bread or crackers in the water, it’s a frenzy of small heads and hard shells fighting for a crumb. Turtles crawl on top of the shells of other turtles in order to reach just a crumb of bread. There are a few very large soft shell turtles. Their effort is to try not to get caught in the middle of the hard-shell frenzy, yet they rush towards the giver just the same. Lately, I’ve stood watching in contemplation of what is happening. The turtles just sense my presence when I’m walking up. They don’t know if I have bread or not on that day, but they know that I, and others that come, often come prepared to feed them morsels from our own table. And they are hungry. And as they rally for the crumbs, they appear to have an unquenchable hunger.
Hunger. As I watch the ‘gathering’ and frenzy of turtles, it strikes me, ‘That should be us seeking for His presence.’ How often do we hear people speak of wanting an outpouring, but how many make their way to a personal prayer room seeking it? And continue to do so. Daily if need be. Just the movement toward that place of prayer would create a ripple effect and draw others. Like the turtles, we should desire an unstoppable, unquenchable desire that will thrust us into action. Our excitement should be contagious and cause others to also hunger.
Often I hear so talk about wanting an outpouring. A revival. A new awakening. But life happens. We can’t always attend every meeting. But if we have an unquenchable hunger for His presence, it will be a priority to run toward the Giver as often as possible. Too often other things take priority when a call for fasting or an outpouring service is announced. As I watch the turtles, I think of what it would be like if every time there was a gathering of believers seeking outpouring they all came ‘hungry’, expecting an outpouring. They wouldn’t know if that day would be the day they would leave full, but they believe one day it will happen as they continue to come. That belief ripples to others. It causes hope. Jesus saw the both hope and hunger in the people and was moved to respond and meet the need.
True revival cost something. I don’t want just another good service. And I don’t want revival just to keep it to myself. I want an outpouring in order for His Spirit to ripple out of me to others! I’m believing! How about you? Do you believe enough to shut yourself in a prayer closet some place and then go gather with others who also believe? Don’t give you until He shows up! I challenge you to do so. It will ripple to others…..and He WILL respond!
I dare you to believe! #tohostHisPresence #senseHispresence #comehungry
In Secret Strength 