Lately I’ve been really centered on how God uses us in spite of us. That is, He often moves powerfully through us despite what we think is normal, appropriate or can only happen in a certain way, and even when we think we are way too dirty to have God move through us at all. I love these testimonies because it makes the life of Jesus so darn accessible to all of us extraordinary, ordinary people!
I remember a funny story one lady shared in a meeting at which meeting I’d been invited to speak. I’d asked for those gathered to think of a time God had used them to impact someone else’s life. She share of a time she was completely worn out and someone, at the end of a long ministry session, asked for prayer.
She related her frustration stemming from her complete exhaustion to God and almost begrudgingly began to pray for the woman. She shared with us that she thought she would just say a few obligatory words in tongues and go collapse in bed.
So, she launched into a 10 second half-hearted (if that) prayer in tongues. To her surprise the woman’s eyes widened and she gasped. The minister asked her what was wrong and the woman took a small step back and asked her how she knew her native language.
God had, unbeknownst to the minister, touched her tongue so that the 10-second prayer was a beautiful blessing in the woman’s native language!
These are not testimonies from superstar Christians with big ministries and face time on TV. No, these are testimonies from the majority of Jesus lovers who are going about there day to day lives being aware (though reluctantly at times) of needs around them and making the choice to be open to His gentle voice.
I’ll say it again. The majority of testimonies come from lovers of Jesus like you and me who are just wanting to fall more in love with Jesus and take that love with them wherever they go. The majority of the world is touched by the love of God through ordinary (to the world but still extraordinary to God) people who go to their jobs, schools, market places, homes and wherever else doing their best to reflect His heart.
Here is one more testimony from a friend of mine in her own words:
Sunday evening in the third church, a woman approached me for prayer. There was no translator. She pointed repeatedly to her right eye. She pressed into the swollen cheek on the same side as her eye to show me how spongy it was. I was confused because the speaker stated clearly that we were not to pray for healings until all the people who wanted impartation had received prayer. Did this woman want impartation and healing for her eye?
If she wanted healing for her eye and the swelling, how was I supposed to give her what I didn’t have for myself. I was under some kind of attack, and my own face and eyes were swollen, splotchy, and miserable.
I took the woman's hands in mine and asked God what to do. I began praying for impartation of gifts of healing for her, anointing of her hands for healings, opening of her ears to hear Father's voice, opening of the eyes of her heart to see what Jesus was doing. I put my hands near her eyes and ears. Finally, I went for healing of her eye problem.
In the background, drums beat loudly. Worshipper danced. Two women danced and flashed large swords over their heads.
This lady began shaking violently. Her knees bent and straightened and bent and straightened some more. Eyes closed, she swayed with the beat of the music. Suddenly she was jumping so fast that I could hardly hold on to her, but feared to let go. Vocalizations rose and fell from her lips. A translator came by just as she calmed down enough to respond to questions. He said that she was so ecstatically happy because her sinuses had just been healed. The pain and swelling was gone. Sinuses were not on my radar!
I think God laughed. It's not about me. It's not about my words. It is about His infinite mercy and love.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
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Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get it on Amazon here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get it on Amazon here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
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