Matthew 15 tells of a woman who came to Jesus to deliver her demon possessed daughter.  When she pleaded with Jesus, she received no reply. Eventually, the Lord told her that she wasn’t the kind of person He came to help.  Wow!  How many of us would have just walked away discouraged and hurting after an answer like that?  Not this woman.  She was desperate. She wasn’t going anywhere until she received that miracle!

So what did she do?  Verse 25 says that she worshiped Him.  I think that it’s important that we learn to worship God in the silence.  We shouldn’t be quick to interpret His silence as indifference because we can trust that He does love us and cares about our circumstances.  Even if we feel He is telling us “no” we should still worship Him for His wisdom and mercy.  He has a greater perspective on our lives so we can trust His “no”.

But she still didn’t give up.  Remember, she was desperate!  This wasn’t a new car she was praying for, this was her daughter!  I think there’s something about desperation that moves the heart of God.  This woman wasn’t whispering a casual request.  She was pleading so loudly and persistently that the disciples were bothered by her.  In the end, Jesus granted her request.  I believe he honored her desperation with answered prayer.  It was Hebrews 11:6 in action.  He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.  Or could that be read, “desperately seek Him” or “persistently, earnestly, tenaciously seek Him”?  Don’t give up when God is silent.  Persist with faith!

One last thought.  When I was in my high school drama class, my teacher used to talk about the dramatic pause.  Sometimes the silence during the pause speaks volumes.  Jesus’ pause may have just been a way to test the woman’s faith.  Whatever the case, if God is silent, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep listening anyway.

I’ve been re-reading “The Ragamuffin Gospel” lately and found that author Brennan Manning may also be a believer in the Invisible Church.  In the book, he echoes what I shared in my first post “A New Blog”.  Here he is paraphrasing Henri Nouwen:

“Besides, as Henri Nouwen notes, the greatest part of God’s work in the world may go unnoticed.  There are a number of people who have become famous or widely known for their ministries, but much of God’s saving activity in our history could remain completely unknown.  That is a mystery difficult to grasp in an age that attaches so much importance to publicity.  We tend to think that the more people know and talk about something, the more important it must be.”

How hugely liberating that is!  We ALL have an opportunity to make an impact for The Gospel! You don’t have to be well known, educated, or have any sort of “public ministry” to do something great for God!  YOU right now, just as you are, can do something of eternal significance and you don’t even need a degree, a headshot, or a mailing list to do it!

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

God, thank you for making us foolish and weak.  Amen!

Every Friday night I lead a community prayer meeting for college-aged young people.  It’s often times a powerful experience of praising God and crying out to Him for our homes, our community, and the next generation.  There’s something about being surrounded by all that raw passion, as the praise team plays and the group unashamedly demonstrates their love for God, that I never get tired of.

A few weeks ago, a young girl came to the meeting and introduced herself to me.  As we talked, she explained to me how she really loves God but felt awkward with outward demonstrations of praise. It was unnatural for her to lift her hands, dance, and shout.  I told her that was OK and that there was nothing wrong with giving praise to God in a quiet manner.

Tonight, at our meeting, I felt a particular leading from the Holy Spirit that He wanted to do a work of freedom in the group.  The majority of our meetings are very outward focused as we intercede for the community and our nation, but tonight was different.  God wanted to do something in us.  There was shame, guilt, addiction, and other chains that needed to be broken so we could go out from there and help set others free.

During our time of praise, I caught something in my peripheral vision.  Around the corner, out of sight from most of the people in the room, was the young girl I met a few weeks ago.  And she was dancing!  As the praise team played, “Halleluia, Halleluia, King of Kings, Lord of Lords I am yours“  She was swaying to music with her hands in the air and her face lit up with redemption!  I looked and knew she was experiencing the love of the one who loves like no other.  It was her and The Savior and all else was strangely dim.

What a beautiful thing to see The King dancing with His daughter.  I have to admit, it inspired me.  Where, in my friendship with Jesus, could I benefit from stepping out of my comfort zone?  And what a stirring I felt to experience His intimate touch.

So thanks Invisible Dancer.  You helped me experience God tonight, even as you experienced Him in a new way!

Oh, and in case you were wondering, a lot of people were set free tonight from the things I mentioned earlier.  It was awesome!