Two People?

I encountered two people recently in my hospital stays and doctor visits that were remarkable.

Person 1: I was in the hospital when an older woman walked into my room talking as if resuming a previous conversation. She seemed to be well into her 80’s. Then, she stopped and said, “Oh. I have wandered into the wrong room.” I greeted her warmly to ease her embarrassment. Then she said, “Maybe our heavenly Father led me here. Is there anyone who needs prayer?” After I encouraged her to pray for me, she offered the most beautiful prayer as someone who stood often in the throne room of God offering petitions. It was a powerful prayer of a saved person, the type that “avails much.”

Person 2: I was in a doctor’s office waiting room. A man and woman came in (I don’t know which was the patient.) After a few minutes, he crossed the room to approach me, introduced himself, and asked if I needed prayer (I looked pretty sick.). I invited him to pray and he, also, approached God as someone who spent much time before the King of the Universe seeking His blessings.

I sometimes encounter religious people who wear their religion as a flag of righteousness and wave it in people’s faces, making others uncomfortable. However, I don’t often see people like the two I described with a quiet and powerful experience, seeking to be a blessing wherever they go. Were they angels or people fulfilling their calling? I don’t know; thus, the question mark in the title of this message.

How many Christians have you seen who are on the lookout for people for whom to pray and bless? Have you ever done this? I don’t think I have, at least, not in such a dramatic way. I have been too shy, not wanting to intrude uninvited, being careful not to offend. But is this the right way to live?

What happened during the early rain on the Day of Pentecost and thereafter? About 120 people had been in the upper room for 10 days, seeking God’s Spirit and forsaking and confessing their sins. On the final day, they poured out of the room, entering Jerusalem, and about 3,000 were converted in a single day. The gospel message then spread “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Can you imagine the enthusiasm of these early believers as they fulfilled the gospel commission? It must have been a far cry from the sleepy experience of today’s Christians.

Acts 2:45-47 – And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What will happen in the later rain? The latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. I can imagine that we will go forward with boldness coupled with tact. Thousands will be converted in a single day because we will be energized for saving souls. Perhaps we will be moving from person to person encouraging them to accept Jesus and keep his commandments.

The two people I described are not waiting. There is no reason to wait on the latter rain to begin fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus called us. If we are not interested in doing the work now, will we be interested when the time of refreshing comes? Will we even experience the latter rain?

This is something for you and me to think about.