“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” –Romans 8:13
Right before I got up to speak at an adoption and orphan care conference a few years ago, I asked the Lord, “What is the key to the church
having real, Godly success in orphan work?” And that morning God showed
me a scripture in 2 Kings that I had never noticed before. I was not able to
share it at the conference because at the time I did not even understand what
God was saying.
A little background first: Elisha was the prophet who followed
Elijah. Before Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha requested a double portion
of the Spirit of God that was in Elijah, and God granted his request. Elisha
went on to do great things throughout his life, and then he died. And then as I
read this story in the Scriptures, I found something utterly amazing: “Then
Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land
each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of
these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and
fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and
jumped to his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21).
“What are you saying God?” I asked, and I am humbled to say that
it took me almost one full year to even hear what God wanted me to
understand. God finally helped me to realize that the answer to my
question “What is the key to the church succeeding in orphan ministry?”
is dead flesh! God’s power flowed through Elisha because his flesh was dead,
and the Spirit of God resurrected another life.
We must reckon our flesh dead. “Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but
if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24).
It has been through my times when I recognized my failings and
weaknesses, when I recognized the sin that blinded me and then repented before
God, when I reckoned my flesh dead, that I experienced the power of God through
my life to help the fatherless.
May we, like Elisha desire more of God’s Spirit above all things
and may we also understand that we will likely be used most profoundly by God
in our times of greatest weakness. When we are weak, He is strong!
This way God gets all the glory – and that’s the point! May we not fear
the daily deaths to our flesh, for in recognizing God in them, we will
experience Him. And who knows, God may just use us to bring life to
others.
Sister,
This is what I am learning through our adoption. Like you said, the only way God can be glorified is when our flesh is out of the way. This experience has shown me that I cannot do anything "good" without Him. Times I thought that there was no way I could go another day in this situation, He brought me out stronger in Him. Each time I have hit rock bottom, He has raised me up with more peace and joy than I had before. I am learning to have peace wherever He has me and to trust whatever He puts into my life. It's not easy, as you know and I still find myself in the "pit" at times. But He lovingly and patiently brings me out and each time I feel different. I feel newer. I don't know if this is the right word "newer", but it is how I feel. Thank you for encouraging others through your experiences and the things that God has shown you. I appreciate you and thank God for you!
Love you,
Carla
Posted by: Carla Craig | November 10, 2009 at 09:40 PM
This is probably one of the most profound insights you have ever written! Or does it touch me so deeply personally because this is what the Lord has been showing us this last year through adoption and our lives in the ministry!
I cannot wait to share this with Jeff when he gets back from Israel.
love you Kerry,
Naomi
Posted by: naomi cuozzo | November 11, 2009 at 04:30 PM