Doing The Assignment
Over the years as I’ve sought wisdom about moving in the gifts of the Spirit, I’ve learned to look for what I call the “peg” – a simple word of knowledge that can trigger a spontaneous flow of the Holy Spirit.
There is a delicate balance between hearing from God in advance and being led spontaneously. If I try to know everything God wants to do in a meeting before it happens, I have often struggled because I sensed something spontaneous but didn’t have time to do both. If I try to do everything spontaneously, I may get to the meeting and find it hard to get started. I’ve learned to look for one phrase or one small mental picture and not much more.
I found a prophecy in Isaiah 22:23-24 that gives a word-picture of this principle:
In prophetic song, my peg may be a key I’m supposed to use, a line of lyrics to sing, a melody, or a sound in my keyboard. When I write an article, my peg will often turn out to be a metaphor or story that will make the material come alive. Last week I mentioned that I had soaked, looking to God for inspiration for the week’s blogs. One by one, He gave me the images I could build each blog on.
I mention this principle now because of ministry to the man with the yellow shirt.
10. Soaking, Oct 22. Soaked while walking around the lake. Was struck with the joy in heaven when a sinner repents, and challenged to make repentance more a part of my ministry.
11. Soaking, Oct 26. Listened as I plan three upcoming projects. Was led to postpone one for a couple of months to avoid stress. As I looked forward to the morning meeting, sensed that I would prophesy in church. Peg: ministry to a man with a yellow shirt.
18. Ministry, Oct 26. Man in the yellow shirt turned out to be Joseph. Prayed for peace as he works to put on the BTV conference next week, and grace to be a step ahead of all needs and attacks.
19. Ministry, Oct 26. A woman came to me, requesting input re dream interpretation. She shared one; I took a shot at interpreting it; she wept as I did. I encouraged her to jot them down and to look to God for interpretation.
20. Ministry, Oct 26. Unplanned phone visit with Betty re the BTV conference. Felt to pray for her as I had prayed for Joseph; the prayer took a couple of unexpected turns.
One more thought about the peg. In context, it follows a verse about the key of David. This belongs to Jesus; this is how we know the lines about the peg apply to Him as well. But the last verse of Isaiah’s prophecy shows how He paid for it: by being cut off at the cross. It’s a reminder that our reaching for spiritual gifts must always center on Christ crucified and risen.