Beyond the manifestation

About fifteen years ago, I was in an overnight prayer meeting. We earnestly gathered to seek His face and hear His voice. Led by the Spirit, we worshipped and prayed....

As we tarried for God's presence to come, He broke in! All across the small room where some thirty people were gathered in prayer and worship, everyone was caught up in the presence of God. No one had to say anything. God came. We knew it. We worshipped. Some broke into tears as God's presence walked in the room... some travailed in prayer in intercession for a burden upon their hearts... some laid slain in the spirit while others were worshipping God with hands wide open.

What a sight...What an experience...

Then a still small voice spoke in my heart... "after this, then what?" It was a sincere question, not a sceptical one. I had a stirring in my heart... by God's grace, I saw in the spirit that some were touched by the Lord but they 'had issues'... while some others had the God-encounter but did not understand or had the maturity to process "so what happened?" and thus "so what can I do in response to God's touch?"

I remembered asking my pastor... that move of God, genuine as it is, how does it bear fruit in us, unless we 'sustain this encounter' in our walk with Him? Perhaps some may need further ministry as God reveals an aspect of their lives that He wants to work through them. Perhaps some need a godly counsel as to what God is doing and saying in their lives through the encounter. Yet some others needed a spiritual deliverance. Of course, for some, it was a timely refreshing deep within as they continue in their journey with God. If there was no 'follow-through' after this encounter, the manifestation of God, genuine as it is, will not bear fruit at all. In fact some may interpret it as a 'top-up' kind of stuff and go from place to place to get 'topped up in the spirit'. How wrong can we get!

That encounter left me wanting... wanting more of God's presence - for He is real and wants to touch us!... wanting more understanding in how to build up the body of Christ (including myself) in receiving His presence, sustaining the presence of God in our lives and releasing it as God directs our hearts in love...

Quoting from an article on 'How to discern the moves of God', I learnt what God does when He moves in power:

Generally, the Holy Spirit has 3 purposes when He releases and heightens His activity:

1. He manifests His power to those needing salvation, healing or renewal. (e.g. Toronto Blessings)

2. He imparts His truth or wisdom. In every move of God there are particular facets of truth that He wants the larger Body to receive.

3. He wants to establish godliness and holiness. (e.g. humility or love)

It is the intention of God to allow all involved with His move to be humbled and sometimes even humiliated....  People have unnecessary pain and disillusionment in the wake of a revival because they thought that revival was mostly about enjoying God’s power instead of learning wisdom and growing in humility.

Fifteen years later... I say... good for you if you had a manifestation... as a loving sister-in-Christ, if I still hear you wowing about the physical experience after a few weeks, I'll give you a loving tap on your shoulder and say... let's go beyond the manifestation... do not be caught up with it, exciting as it may be... may our greatest and most magnificent obsession be... Jesus Christ our Lord! p/s: not just a slogan, but truly walking out in loving Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength...over years, over decades... Give us grace, Lord, as we set our hearts on loving You wholeheartedly!