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/
