Summer 1998
A Call to Go Beyond Our Calling
Wade E Taylor

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who
comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able
to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" II Cor 1:3-4.

Within the Body of Christ are those who have been unintentionally hurt by another Christian, by their well intended but misguided opinions or counsel.

After being misunderstood and deeply hurt, these wounded and hurting Christians draw back and refuse to again expose their need. Gradually, they feel justified with their reaction, and become critical, blaming others for their problems. Finally, they withdraw from fellowship with the Body of Christ; lonely and bitter, limping in their spiritual walk.

There is an urgent need at this present time to minister to this hurting segment of the Body of Christ. However, there is a price that must first be paid. Those who desire to minister in this area of critical need must first be willing to subject themselves to "dealings" which are beyond that which is required for their own spiritual discipline and growth.

These special dealings are necessary so these "prepared" ministries will be able to relate to those who have been wounded with "experienced wisdom" and "sincere heart compassion." Only then can these hurting Christians be helped.

Since these dealings are beyond anything needed to produce their own spiritual maturity, each person who desires to be used in this ministry must give the Lord specific permission to take them through the necessary "trials and tribulations" that will prepare them so they can relate to the needs of these wounded and hurting Christians.

In the Garden of Eden, the enemy told Eve that if she and Adam would partake of "The tree of knowledge of good and evil" they would gain the right to be "as gods." That is, they would be able to choose for themselves what is right or wrong (See Gen 3:3-5). They partook and died spiritually, loosing their relationship of total dependence upon God.

This "right" that was gained in the Garden of Eden remains with us, even after our sins are cleansed and forgiven through the blood which Jesus shed in our behalf upon the Cross. But we can give our ill-gained freedom back to the Lord.

Apart from a total commitment of our lives to the Kingdom, in which we submit our self-life (our right to choose) to death upon the cross and make the Lord Jesus Christ our King (giving Him the right to choose for us), we continue to live and function on the lower level of the "knowledge of good and evil" (choosing for ourselves).

The Lord recognizes this right that we (Adam and Eve) gained in the Garden of Eden to choose for ourselves. He will not cross this line until we give Him permission to do so.

"IF any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me" Matt 16:24.

The "if" in this verse tells us that the Lord will not force the cross upon us, as He honors our "right" to our own will. We must choose to give the independence we gained back to the Lord.

When I came to understand this, I prayerfully returned to the Lord my right to do as I choose. Then, I unconditionally submitted my life to His Lordship, and began to look to Him to make these choices for me. When I made Jesus the "Lord" of my life, I gave Him the right to deal with me, for whatever purpose He may have.

The Lord has, over the many years that I have made Him Lord of my life, brought me through many experiences that I have not understood or liked. However, I have (slowly) learned that these things were either for my eternal good, for His higher purposes, or to prepare me to minister to others, especially to those who are wounded and hurting.

Whenever we complain to the Lord about the things we find ourselves going through, He will remind us that we gave Him the right to do this, when we made Him our Lord. Many know Him as their Saviour, but fewer as their Lord.

Therefore, we must come to understand that the "dealings" He takes us through in preparation for this ministry to hurting Christian, are apart from any need that we may have. Our willingness to go through these experiences will qualify us to become an instrument in His hand to help and encourage those who hurt, in a way that could not happen through any other means.

We are called to,

"Comfort them that are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" 2 Cor 1:4b.

This tells us that we will receive the ability to help others as a result of the help that we ourselves received from the Lord, when He arranged for us to go through a similar circumstance. Only after this experience will we be able to understand the hurts and tribulations of another and minister the needed healing to these wounded spirits.

We must recognize that very often the things we go through may be for the benefit of another. If we fail to see this, we may react and fall short of becoming a vessel prepared to help others through their times of difficulties and trials.

We are only qualified to minister to others after we have been tested and proven to be faithful; otherwise our ministry will become harsh and vindictive. A Christian who has been through the dealings of the Lord will minister out of a broken and contrite spirit, realizing that they have no right to be critical or judge. It will produce a spirit of compassion toward those who are hurting.

Through such a ministry, many will be brought back to the Lord and restored to fellowship with the Body of Christ, as they are inwardly healed of past hurts and wounds.

Are you willing to leave your place of comfort and go further, by praying the following prayer?

A Prayer of Consecration
Robert Graybill

Dear Lord Jesus,

I recognize the urgent need for this ministry.

I will subject myself to "dealings" that are beyond that which is required for my own spiritual discipline and growth. I am willing to pay whatever price is necessary.

Because I desire to be used in this healing ministry, I gladly give You, Lord, specific permission to take me through the necessary "trials and tribulations" that will prepare me to relate to the needs of those who are wounded and hurting. I desire for you to reduce me to having a meek and quiet spirit.

I realize that in the Garden of Eden I gained the right to choose for myself and I lost my relationship of total dependence upon You.

In solemn prayer, I submit my self-life to death upon the Cross. I make the Lord Jesus Christ my King, and I give Him the right to make all decisions for me, regardless of the cost to me.

I will not complain to You, Lord, about the things that I find myself going through, because I gave You the right to do this when I submitted my life to you and made You my Lord. I recognize that these things that I go through will perfect my life in you, and also will benefit others.

Therefore, Lord, I completely and irrevocably surrender my life and ministry to the Kingdom of God, for the glory and honor of Christ Jesus, in whose Name I pray.

Amen.