Episode Transcript
HEAR
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
CONSIDER
Today our Holy Spirit story comes from Pam Cowart! Pam walks closely with Jesus and carries the true heart of a pastor. I know you will be deeply encouraged by this story because it's all about the Holy Spirit coming in to make sure one of his kids knows God sees and knows him deeply.
Below, you will read the story in her own words, and, if you listen, you will hear it in her own voice.
Being a part of the Lord's mission and ministry can be hard and heavy at times, but it can also be incredibly joyful. And it is a pure joy to get to carry something eternal in our hands—a word, a prayer, a simple act that the Holy Spirit has uniquely tailored for someone who desperately needs to feel seen. In those moments, heaven meets earth, and we get the honor of delivering God's love wrapped in his perfect timing.
One Sunday, a few years back, I was shuffling past other worshippers in the row to get to my seat, and I placed my purse and coffee cup on the floor and stood to join the worship singing. My eye caught Donnie, who was leading worship that day, and a thought popped into my head. He is strong.
I didn't really muse on the thought, just internally sort of replied to what I thought was myself. Oh, that's nice, that's good. Then the thought came again. He's strong. Again I had a sort of internal feeling reply, like, Oh, that's good. I'm so glad. I haven't sensed this in him before. Then the words came again, not an audible voice outside of me, but an impression voice inside of me. This time it was a bit louder and insistent and finally got my attention. He's strong. He's strong. Donnie is strong.
Then I realized it was not my thoughts, but the persistent nudge, kind of like an elbow in the side from the Holy Spirit. This isn't the first time this has happened to me. My church actually practices listening prayer. We listen together for the voice of the Shepherd. We set aside prayer nights to listen for God's direction and vision and the way for our church. And we for sure study his words so that we know what his voice sounds like and how to measure anything we hear by his written Word.
Our staff gathers weekly to listen for the Lord's insight for the Sunday message. We even listen to God's heart for every baby we dedicate, and we pray those words—God's words—over the children. We practice listening. I have also spent time intentionally asking the Lord to let me in on his thoughts and heartbeat for someone I'm praying for. He is so kind to give me words of encouragement and sometimes visions, even prophecy, to offer to that person based on his knowledge of them. It is truly like this beautiful way to commune with the Lord and to then get to give away this treasure for those he adores and desires to encourage.
But this particular Sunday, I was not intentionally listening. I was not asking the Holy Spirit for insight, but I did recognize his voice, even if it took me a few minutes. The Holy Spirit wanted to give Donnie a generous gift of encouragement, and he was letting me be the delivery method. That's double generosity.
Once I had woken up to this fact, and I sat down, I pulled out my phone and started texting, yes, in church, during worship. And I said, "Speak, Lord, my thumbs are ready to type out your gift." I didn't have Donnie's number, so I sent it to his wife, Addie, and I gave her the disclaimer that I thought this might be from the Lord, but for Donnie to take it or leave it, as he weighed it before the Lord for himself.
This is what I heard. "You are strong. The strength is here. Muscles have to tear and repair to build up, and you choose to tear and I give you repair. My son, you chose to tear into your weakness, and I am taking that choice in making you strong. It's here, you have already tasted it. It is from me. The supply will not end. I have bought you with a high price. You are mine, and I am yours. You remain in me, and I keep all things safe. I remain in you, and I ensued this strength for you. It's showing. It's coming out of you. It is for you and for you to let it flow through you. Like a treasure chest of strength delivered to your door. Pick it up, bring it in, open it, indulge in the endless supply I have for you. You are strong. You will continue to be strong. My love makes you strong. You are strong. You are strong."
I clicked the arrow and swoosh. The gift was delivered while Donnie was still leading us into the holy of holies in worship. Before the service was even over, I heard the faint ding and this text reply popped up. "Hey, Pam, this is Donnie. I need you to know that all the Father's words you've told me are confirmation of everything he has and is teaching me. I'm sitting backstage in the amp room, weeping in pure joy, knowing and being reminded yet again how much he cares for me. Thank you for your sensitivity to the Spirit and for sharing this."
I didn't have any resources, truth, or encouragement for Donnie that day, but I got the glorious thrill to be a messenger for a gift the Lord crafted for him. The Holy Spirit went out of his way to let Donnie hear encouraging truth about how he is loved, seen, and known by the God of the universe.
PRAY
Jesus, you are so fun. You let us give from your abundant resources such unique and perfect gifts of love and encouragement. We want to be used by you, right here, right now. Speak, Lord. Your servants are listening. Who do you want to encourage through me today? Now stop and listen. Then we ask, Jesus, how would you like me to pray and encourage this person to today? Craft a text through me to send to them, or tell me the exact timing when to give them a call, or maybe I should hop in the car right now and go to them. Lord, let them be loved through me today. Let me deliver the gift of your encouragement. Thank you for letting me in on your ministry of generous encouragement.
