So often I think we, as Believers, get stuck in mind-sets
about the next outpouring of God. We are so hungry for Divine Encounters, and
understandably so. There is nothing quite as sweet as basking in a “strong
Presence” of the Lord during times of prayer and worship.
But I wonder if we are missing something. I wonder if the
“outpouring” GOD is planning might be a little different than our own
expectations.
You see, we want an “outpouring” of His Spirit set in corporate
gatherings. We gather together and cry out for “more of God”, but could it be
that God is crying out for us to pour His Spirit into a lost and broken world?
Consider John 3:34. “For He whom God has sent speaks the
words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” If I am “in Christ” and
“Christ is in me” – then abundance of His Spirit is already my true condition.
Furthermore, Ezekiel chapter 47 tells of a river flowing
from the temple of God. Strangely enough, the river gets deeper as it moves away from the temple itself. Thus the
place of corporate worship is only the starting point. Depth is found away from
the temple, until the river becomes part of the sea, making salty waters fresh.
And we are told that fishermen will gather there with their nets. Think about
it – you who are called to be “fishers of men”.
Could it be that as we gather and seek “the next
outpouring”, God is waiting...., waiting for us to BE the next outpouring?!
Maybe, just maybe, God is waiting for us to humbly and FULLY
accept the responsibility of being HIS vessels – the out pouring isn’t solely
for our benefit. Too often our motives
are selfish. We want “warm fuzzy” and “weighty” encounters with God. But if
these encounters bring no transformation in our own lives or in our families
and communities – what exactly is the point?
There is nothing wrong with corporate prayer and worship
gatherings. We need these times of encounter and refreshing. But any outpouring
is for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
He is looking for vessels who will actively “pour out” what
He “pours in”. As He blesses US with His
Presence, we are to take His Presence into the world for the sake of His
Kingdom. We are not to hoard the anointing of God!
Which brings me to another point: do we “reap” sparingly
because we “sow” sparingly?
How lavishly do we share “Christ in us” with those around
us? Are we stingy? Do we let fear stand in the way? Do people need to “earn” the
blessing of Christ within us? Do WE get to choose who and how and when and what
we will deposit into another – or are we walking in complete submission so that
GOD can make these choices?
So gather, pray and celebrate God certainly! Let us express
our hungry hearts. But let us not neglect to pour out what we have into the
brokenness around us. For what we have freely received, He desires us to freely
give! So if YOU want “more” – give more. BE the OUTPOURING! Invade the earth
with the Presence of God.
And know this - as we empty ourselves according to His interests, He will find us irresistible and
a lost world will find Him irresistible as well!
