For years I have prayed for restoration. Both for my soul and for finances. I've been asking God for these two aspects of my life for two years; maybe even three.
After persevering within those years, events happened in my life that have aroused my spirit. One of them occured quite casually; however, after a more thoughtful hindsight, it was not a random affair at all. It happened this way...
A missionary based in Cambodia came here for a vacation. We're supposed to be talking about other matters relating to ministry; instead, he opined -- I'm like the prodigal son in the book of Luke15:11-32.
He demanded I go back to COOS, and he lightly said, almost jokingly, that I'm like the prodigal son in that, I left my home church and went around wandering, looking for my supposed to be ministry, when in fact, my calling is actually right under my nose; in my home church.
Since at the time these events were happening, I didn't realize my true calling; I told the missionary, with pure conviction, "I can't go back. It's impossible, I complained. I said goodbye twice to the church". And in my private thoughts I said, there is no way I would go back, there's nothing for me there, because I had done so many mistakes at COOS. One thing more, I was hurt and obviously, I offended some brothers and sisters, and even leaders.
I added, the people there were so turned off they will just give me a cold shoulder if I suddenly showed up. In short, great fear gripped me everytime I thought of going back to my old church.
I can't explain it, but however uncomfortable the thought is, even with many doubts bumping each other inside my head, and the heavy apprehension brewing in my heart, I went back after two weeks.
When I finally stepped into COOS, I never expected the preacher would talk about the prodigal son in his sermon.
Not only that, I also noticed one very evident fact: God's presence was extremely strong the moment I stepped into COOS' sanctuary that Sunday.
I was like walking on clouds. Actually, I was feeling intensely strange, and I seemed transported into another realm. It was surreal.
The voices of the singers and the actual singing inside the church had a different flavor, it was angelic. I was sure, there was a huge portion of anointing being poured out from heaven that time.
The whole church had a heavenly atmosphere and I knew, without a tinge of doubt, God was agreeing with what I have done. He was joyful I obeyed. He was glad I went back.
At this point, it sank in, He sent the missionary to talk to me, and I obeyed. He was smiling because despite the fear I felt going back COOS, I followed His guiding hand. My fear was due to the wrong notion I had that if I go back, I'll be embarrassed to the core. (That's the enemy's lie, it's evident now.)
I was so wrong, I was not embarrassed at all, on the contrary, I had a glorious encounter with our Creator.
I thought that was it, God was through with His message. Man... was I wrong; I had another divine visitation the next day. A pastor on TV talked about... what else, the prodigal son. I was alone in our house that time, so I was not conscious when I shed tears of joy.
And again, I thought it's done, 'cuz that's strike three! But, wait, God is not yet through with me. The next day, a Tuesday, as I laid down on my bed, part of my bedtime routine is to read a Christian book, there it was, right in the middle of the page, the story of "the prodigal son".
Tell me, how can I NOT obey? God clearly talked, and instructed me, not once, or twice, but four times.
I thank God, He made time to instruct me. Praise His holy name!
Now I'm back to COOS and I have peace and unspeakable joy. I praise the name of the Lord! All glory and honor belongs to Him.
Anthony Dejolde
The Write Freelance
tonsdejolde@gmail.com
Anthony Dejolde's Google+
After persevering within those years, events happened in my life that have aroused my spirit. One of them occured quite casually; however, after a more thoughtful hindsight, it was not a random affair at all. It happened this way...
A missionary based in Cambodia came here for a vacation. We're supposed to be talking about other matters relating to ministry; instead, he opined -- I'm like the prodigal son in the book of Luke15:11-32.
He demanded I go back to COOS, and he lightly said, almost jokingly, that I'm like the prodigal son in that, I left my home church and went around wandering, looking for my supposed to be ministry, when in fact, my calling is actually right under my nose; in my home church.
Since at the time these events were happening, I didn't realize my true calling; I told the missionary, with pure conviction, "I can't go back. It's impossible, I complained. I said goodbye twice to the church". And in my private thoughts I said, there is no way I would go back, there's nothing for me there, because I had done so many mistakes at COOS. One thing more, I was hurt and obviously, I offended some brothers and sisters, and even leaders.
I added, the people there were so turned off they will just give me a cold shoulder if I suddenly showed up. In short, great fear gripped me everytime I thought of going back to my old church.
I can't explain it, but however uncomfortable the thought is, even with many doubts bumping each other inside my head, and the heavy apprehension brewing in my heart, I went back after two weeks.
When I finally stepped into COOS, I never expected the preacher would talk about the prodigal son in his sermon.
Not only that, I also noticed one very evident fact: God's presence was extremely strong the moment I stepped into COOS' sanctuary that Sunday.
I was like walking on clouds. Actually, I was feeling intensely strange, and I seemed transported into another realm. It was surreal.
The voices of the singers and the actual singing inside the church had a different flavor, it was angelic. I was sure, there was a huge portion of anointing being poured out from heaven that time.
The whole church had a heavenly atmosphere and I knew, without a tinge of doubt, God was agreeing with what I have done. He was joyful I obeyed. He was glad I went back.
At this point, it sank in, He sent the missionary to talk to me, and I obeyed. He was smiling because despite the fear I felt going back COOS, I followed His guiding hand. My fear was due to the wrong notion I had that if I go back, I'll be embarrassed to the core. (That's the enemy's lie, it's evident now.)
I was so wrong, I was not embarrassed at all, on the contrary, I had a glorious encounter with our Creator.
I thought that was it, God was through with His message. Man... was I wrong; I had another divine visitation the next day. A pastor on TV talked about... what else, the prodigal son. I was alone in our house that time, so I was not conscious when I shed tears of joy.
And again, I thought it's done, 'cuz that's strike three! But, wait, God is not yet through with me. The next day, a Tuesday, as I laid down on my bed, part of my bedtime routine is to read a Christian book, there it was, right in the middle of the page, the story of "the prodigal son".
Tell me, how can I NOT obey? God clearly talked, and instructed me, not once, or twice, but four times.
I thank God, He made time to instruct me. Praise His holy name!
Now I'm back to COOS and I have peace and unspeakable joy. I praise the name of the Lord! All glory and honor belongs to Him.
Anthony Dejolde
The Write Freelance
tonsdejolde@gmail.com
Anthony Dejolde's Google+
