This time of the year seems to get me to think about all the evil power displayed in our world today. Do not get me wrong, I am not against children getting candy and celebrating the fall season, but I know that a lot of evil happens during this time.
I am not for telling our children that evil does not exist, or that evil power is not real. The Bible does talk about evil power in spiritists, mediums, witches, and more. There is evil power in the world, and we do not need to be deceived by that. Children who dabble in witchcraft or in evil “games” experience this. To deny this power is closing our eyes to a reality that exists.
What are our children seeing when it comes to God’s power at work in a Christian’s life? Many have denied His power in today’s day for fear that we will go to far.
Read 2 Tim 3:1-5
3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
People can hold to a form of godliness but deny its power. This seems to be pretty serious. Have we been guilty of denying its power? Some Christians are content to live powerless, defeated, and depressed lives when God has given us a power that is at work within us (Eph. 3:20). Our children are seeing evil power, and it is real. It is time our children and the world sees a power from God that is real and greater than all other power. This power changes lives. This power turns a killer into a missionary. This power was so evident to first century Christians, that people were willing to give up their evil power to live powerful Christian lives (Acts 19:11-20).
What does a powerful Christian life look like? It is a life a transformation. It is the power to forgive and love the unloving. It is the power to raise godly children in an evil and corrupt world. it is the power to be pure when the world says it is impossible. It is the power to listen as God reveals things to us to help others. It is the power to do something you could not do with your own ability.
I saw this numerous times in my life, but I would like to share about a time that stands out in my mind.
In the fall of 1995, while I was in the Adventures in Missions (AIM) program in Lubbock, Texas, I was told that there was a girl named Carolyn who wanted to study the Bible and become a Christian. The friend, who told me about this girl, knew the area where Carolyn lived, but he did not know her exact address. My friend did not even know her last name. At nineteen, I was energetic and ready to take on the world. No last name, no address, no problem. After classes that day, I decided that I was going to go to the “other side of the tracks” to the projects of Lubbock by myself. I got to an area I had never been before, driving my small, black sports car and having my Bible ready to find Carolyn.
As I sat in my car for a few minutes, I remember praying, “Lord, you know where this teenage girl lives, and I pray that your Holy Spirit will guide me to her as well as others who are searching for you. I trust in you, and I know you want her saved.” I got out of the car and began walking through this drug- and gang-infested area. I was probably the only white person within a two-mile radius. No sooner had I gotten out of the car and began walking down the street before I heard a few gunshots in the distance. After that, I saw a big car stop and five people came out of nowhere to gather at the trunk of the car, pay money, grab what they needed, and run. It all happened in five seconds but, of course, I saw nothing, right? An older man was outside of his home on the block, so I went up to him and began talking to him. I needed to make some friends quick. Of course, he was wondering what I was doing walking the streets in that area, so it gave me a perfect opportunity to share Christ.
After talking a few minutes with this older man, I continued on and saw some low-income duplexes with a teenage boy outside pushing a shopping cart. I thought, Maybe he will know Carolyn. So I asked him if he knew a girl named Carolyn.
Before I even got the words out of my mouth, he ran inside the duplex yelling, “Carolyn! Carolyn! There is a white guy right outside who is here to see you!”
As I watched what was going on, I have to say I was surprised God had led me to her so quick. As I was invited inside, I was overcome by the smell of rotten food. This little one-bedroom duplex housed six people. I looked around and greeted her brother, who was a fourteen-year-old with the intelligence of a first grader. As I got to know him, I realized that he had the kindest heart. I could tell after meeting her parents that they were slow as well. Carolyn’s dad was almost blind, with cataracts covering both eyes. Everyone there was wearing clothes that were so thin that you could practically see through them. Buying new clothes for this family was only a fantasy.
As I waited, they offered me food and drinks, but I would not accept these because it easily could have been the only meal for them that day. As Carolyn came out, she could not stop smiling. She said I was an angel sent by God. I knew I was not an angel, but I eventually came to understand that I was His messenger that day. In fact, it was the Holy Spirit who led me to this girl within thirty minutes of my arrival to the area. He guided me through the valley of shadow and death to a seeking teenager to whom God was keeping His promise. This reminded me of Matthew 7:7-8, where it says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
I know it could only have been through the direction of God that I found this girl who later gave her life to Christ. Because of this experience, I never again have doubted the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Because of this knowledge and true understanding from the Scriptures, mission trips are a little different for me because I trust in the direction of God.