On Another Level by Mary Folkerts

 

Have you ever wondered if the words you say and write may have a greater impact on someone's life than you imagine? 

Recently, our church sponsored a family from Afghanistan to come to Canada. The process began after the country fell into Taliban hands, and many people’s lives were in danger. By the grace of God and his protection, the family managed to escape to Pakistan. They waited for papers and documentation for about a year before nine of the eleven could move to Canada. Because of logistical problems, one of the family members had access denied, so a sister stayed with him until he could be cleared to join the rest of the family. 

The months of waiting turned into another year, during which time many people prayed and advocated on their behalf. Waiting was hard, especially since the ones left in Pakistan were still in a precarious situation. It took 15 months, but God provided a miracle for them to arrive a few days before Christmas! What a time of rejoicing that was!

During this period of waiting, the two left in Pakistan would watch our Sunday morning church service online (thanks to Covid times), and we would pray for them. 

After they arrived, my Afghan sister shared how blessed she had been by the songs of worship I led in those online services. She said they would help her sleep at night. 

Little did I know that somewhere across the globe, in an uncertain situation, in a country that decried the name of Jesus, a struggling woman could find comfort in the songs that I sang. 

But here’s the most amazing thing. When we aim to serve God with our words, be they sung, spoken, or written, He transforms them with His power to comfort, challenge, and change lives. 

Sometimes, we underestimate our abilities, but we should never underestimate what God can do with our paltry offerings. 

The mind fascinates and                     
imagines wild 
and wonderful 
imaginings,
of different 
worlds—
The possibilities that
we’re not alone,
another universe 
parallel to ours
existing without us 
even being aware, 

oblivious. 

 

Mostly we scoff 

at such fantasy, 

we see our world

as the only.

We, the people

are the arbitrators, 

the fortune makers,

the destiny fulfillers,

the peacekeepers, 

the lawmakers,

the kings. 

We believe in what we see

concrete, scientific 

evidence of what we

can reason. 

Logic says that what goes

around, comes 

around. 

Live well,

enjoy well,

leave the world 

a better place 

for those who come after. 

That’s all.  

But what about 

all the unanswered

questions?

Why is there good 

and evil in every story?

If heaven is real

can hell be a fairy tale?

If there is a God 

is the devil so farfetched?

If humans are so 

self-reliant 

why are we always 

searching for a 

Higher power?

 

Do our fervent prayers 

evaporate into the 

atmosphere, 

leaving our desperate souls

with little hope of 

an answer?

Platitudes to placate 

the feeble-minded?

Or is it true that the 

parallel universe 

of spiritual forces lies right 

above us, 

beneath us, 

and around us?

That our prayers like sweet

smelling incense waft

into the very presence 

of Almighty God,

A king who also calls me

Daughter?

And like a gentle Father

He cradles my prayers

with a tender mercy 

and knowledge that only an 

All-knowing God could 

claim

He answers my prayer. 

Every.

Time. 

His answers not 

always to my human comprehension. 

Sometimes yes,

sometimes no,

sometimes wait. 

But never arbitrarily. 

If we had faith

could we see the spiritual

realm 

warring for our very 

souls?

The battle raging

though the final

war has long been won?

If we were still,

without pressures and 

pleasures to 

distract,

could we hear 

our inner longings,

our spirits,

cry out for our Maker?

Every day

I hear the clang 

of battle.

I know the victory is secure

but the war wages on 

for my soul,

for my mind.

God help me when I 

live my life 

lackadaisical,

thinking I don’t need

His armour

for this battle. 

Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a Proverbs 31 ministries COMPEL Writers Training member and is involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s personal blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the small things https://maryfolkerts.com/  or connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/