Revival

Are You A Ship Or A Boat?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Pat Vick

It was August of 2017 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. We were ministering at the first General Conference of the newly nationalized work. From our bird’s eye view of the  gorgeous hotel overlooking the Kota Kinabalu Harbor on the China Sea, there was much to see. I was intrigued by the fishing vessels that would leave early in the morning, and return just as the sun was setting for the day.

There were many small boats that would stay close to the harbor, doing their work in shallow water. They weren’t equipped to go too far, and always kept in sight of land. They put in a hard day’s work, and probably caught enough fish to sell for the day. They were laboring to keep their families fed, but didn’t make any extra.

Then there were the ships. They were outfitted with bigger nets, and carried enough equipment and supplies to face any problems that might arise. They headed out into deep water far beyond the safety of the harbor. When they lumbered into port at the end of the day, they sat low in the water, their holds completely filled with fish. They weren’t only feeding their families for the day. They were affecting the commerce of a nation.

While watching these fishing vessels, the Lord impressed into my spirit that if I wanted to see His great works, I must choose to be like the ships, and not the boats. My first instinct was to remind Him of the obvious…I’m literally 9,000 miles away from home, overlooking the South China Sea, doing ministry. Doesn’t that make me a ship? The Lord’s silence assured me that it was going to take more than simply being willing to travel for me to be a ship, rather than a boat. 

“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” (Psalm 107:23-24)

As I considered what the Lord was revealing to me, He dropped this scripture into my mind. Such a perfect word for the object lesson He was showing me. I began to break down the passage, and noticed that even though the ships were called to go out into great waters, they first had to go down.

We all love to spend time on the mountain top, but sea level is at a much lower elevation. Revival may come on the mountain heights, but the work gets done by first going down to sea level. 

The original meaning of the word business here is ministry. Many of us are willing to go and take care of spiritual business, but not all are willing to first  go down. 

To go down means that we must submit ourselves to the Spirit of God. We must get our flesh under control. We must get our self out of the way with all of its emotions, feelings, frustrations, preferences and carnal ways.

Going down is accomplished through consistent, diligent, consecrated fasting with prayer. The mountain top is where our eyes are often focused, and our hearts most desire to be. The anointed worship. The powerful Word. The comfort of unity and fellowship. Who wouldn’t prefer the spiritual heights? After all, the way down is messy, painful and we almost always have to go alone.

I feel like I have to ask…

-How hungry are you for the things of God?

-How desperate are you for a breakthrough?

-How low are you willing to go to draw closer to God?

-How many souls do you want to reach?

…Your level of fasting and prayer will answer these questions.

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

-Pat

There Is Help For The Bruised

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench…” (Isaiah 42:3)

I purchased a three dollar potted amaryllis bulb a few weeks before Christmas. It wasn’t much to look at; just a brown mound protruding from the dirt with a sprig of green growth barely pushing through. I didn’t have high hopes for it, but it was only $3 after all.

I followed the instructions which consisted of putting it in a window, and keeping it moist. Simple enough.

To my surprise, within just a few days, that little sprig began reaching for the sky. It towered well over two feet within the week. The really exciting part began next as it produced a beautiful bud, all full of hope. It was thriving, and I was a proud plant mom.

When it began to unfold in all its glory, I couldn’t contain my joy. I began snapping photos, and sending them to my friends, proudly showing off my little $3 wonder child.

That’s when the tragedy happened. Looking back, I know I should have been more attentive. I should have noticed the disaster coming. Its gorgeous blooms were so heavy that it had become top heavy. Even though I saw it leaning a bit, it didn’t occur to me that I should add a stake for stability.

I walked past it into another room for only a few minutes, and when I came back in, its stalk had broken in half. I was shocked to say the least, to the point of almost being sick. My little $3 bulb that had grown and matured into this lovely masterpiece had been decapitated, and cut down in the prime of her glory.

I had invested too much into this Amaryllis to simply allow its full potential to be forfeited. As I looked closer, I realized there were a few fibers of stalk connecting the blooms to the life-giving base of the plant. It was literally hanging on by a thread (or two). Would that be enough to sustain it? I didn’t know, but I had to try.

Having nothing further to lose, I grasped the top part of the stalk just under the blooms, pushed it down into the gaping wound of the bottom section of stalk and quickly wrapped the two pieces together with an ancient embroidered doily. It was the only thing I could find at the moment. (Sometimes it’s the old things that work best.)

Then I prayed, and held my breath…

Almost a week later, and she’s still blooming her little heart out! But that’s not the end of her story. She’s not just a $3 bulb anymore. She’s my miracle child, and she will bloom and bring joy for many years to come.

IN SUMMARY

If God cares about my $3 Amaryllis, He certainly cares for you. Like the Good Samaritan in the Bible, He will not cast you aside when you are broken or bruised. He will bind up your wounds, and saturate you with the healing oil of His Spirit. He will rebuild, refocus, revitalize and revive you, even If you’re hanging on by a thread (or two).

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

-Pat-