Going out on a limb

January 21, 2012
A while back I wrote about being willing to go out on a limb for God.  Be willing to take risks.  And I had my first risk as talking to the leader of the praise dancers team and bringing us on one accord.

Well – I’m gonna have to be honest – I never did this.  And it was months ago I talked about it.  I would see her, and say hello – but I never attempted to approach her.  There have been times that I have told her she smelled like smoke, but that was the biggest risk I took.

You see, this lady is beautiful.  She’s beautiful when she dances and when she sings.  She has such a heart for God.  But she also sells cigarettes on the compound and hangs out with a rough crowd.

Well, yesterday, I had a divine appointment with her.  I was cleaning the chapel and she came out of the bathroom and plopped in a chair.  When I walked to the bathroom to get the mop bucket, it reeked of cigarette smoke.  I came back – looked at her and said “IT STINKS.”  She said “I know.  I’m so stressed.  I just had to flush $50 worth of contraband.”

I said “Good for you.”  And I wasn’t gonna say anymore, but God took over.  I said, “I see so much potential in you.  I see God when you dance, when you sing.  He shines so bright in you.  But you only serve Him halfheartedly.  He wants your all.  He wants you in church and out of the church.  I know I don’t know you well, and I might be out of line to say this, but you can’t straddle the fence anymore.  And it might require you distancing yourself from some people.  But He wants your whole heart.”

I had tears in my eyes when I was saying this, and He wasn’t done yet.  I said “What are you gonna do when you get out?”  She started talking about starting a restaurant with her son.  And I almost let it go at that, except that wasn’t what I meant, so I kept going.  I said “No – what are you gonna do with you heart?  Are you gonna serve Him completely or keep breaking the law?  Cause He has a purpose for you.  You probably already know what it is.  But you gotta walk in it.”

She didn’t say much.  I told her I’d pray with her if she ever needed me.  Then I finished cleaning and she left.  I sat down to play some music and I was singing “Amazing Love” by Hillsong, when she came back in. The words say, “Who would know that I was once on a road so far away from you?  But all I know is that I’ll live my life to show the world Your amazing love.”

And she sat down to listen.  And I kept singing.  After a few songs, I was done and ready to go – but God said “keep playing.”  So I did.  And when it was time to go, she thanked me for singing.  And I told her I’d be praying for her.

WOW!  God set up that appointment!  And I felt so good afterward.  To speak His truth – even when it hurts.
So as I was leaving the chapel, a friend said “I heard you playing in there.”  And we got to talking and she said “You’re so on fire for God.  And He wants you hot or cold… there is no in between.”  And this confirmed exactly what I had just said to the other lady.

Jesus said “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other.  So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 2:15-16)

There is no in between.  We are either for Him or against Him.  Get on fire people!  My heart burns for Him so bad that I can’t help but be HOT!