From Airplane Mode to Almighty Mode!

AWESOME = “Extremely impressive.  Inspiring great admiration — an overwhelming feeling of reverence.”

That’s how Google’s online dictionary defines that word.  But does that word accurately define You, Lord?  Yes, in part… like one facet of a diamond too brilliant to examine too closely.

I feel sorry for those who still deny You exist, Lord.  Those who, in their hurt and/or self-sufficiency, still believe they are the center of the universe.  Those who are still like I was for so many years.  What blessings they miss by seeing only the “real” world around them, without seeing the Real World Maker!

One small, yet awesome, example was played out in the last 48 hours.  A heavenly symphony, in two movements.

Our cell phones don’t work here on the mountain.  We have to travel seven miles to get a cell signal.  Days can pass without getting into cell phone range, if there is no pressing need to reach “civilization” (e.g., stock up on groceries).

We have learned to keep our cell phones on “Airplane Mode” at the house, to avoid our batteries running down as the phones search in vain for a signal.  As soon as we get into cell phone range, we turn off Airplane Mode and reconnect with the world.

On Tuesday, I went into town to reconnect with a newly-found sister-in-Christ over lunch.  Today, Thursday, I went back into town to have dinner with a group of ladies from our church here.

Here’s the awesome part.

As soon as I got into cell phone range Tuesday, I turned off Airplane Mode.  IMMEDIATELY, I received a text.  A text sent that very moment.  A text informing me that a brother-in-Christ who is very dear to me was in critical condition, fighting for his life.  A text from his beautiful wife, my beloved sister-in-Christ, wanting to hear my voice.  I called immediately, leaving a heartfelt message when her voicemail answered… and I began to pray.

I prayed until I later talked with her when I was back on the mountain.  I prayed with her on the phone, when she told me how dire his circumstances were.  I prayed after I hung up the phone.

Today was my first time back in civilization.  I turned off Airplane Mode.  IMMEDIATELY, I received a text from this same sister.  A text sent that very moment.  A text of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING!  This dear brother LIVES!  He is out of the coma, off the respirator, talking with his family!!!

OK, there are many awesome parts of this story… Your Healing Grace, Lord, being the most important one!  Perhaps the testimony he shares about what happened to him while he was in a coma will be another.  But the awesome part that really grabs me right now is how You let me be even a small part of this miracle.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  (James 5:16b)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His Will He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of Him.”  (1 John 5:14-15)

By Your Sovereign Grace, Lord, I was one of many, many people who prayed for this dear brother.  I am sure how I prayed was not unlike how many, many others prayed, too.  Asking for his life, yet asking for You to accomplish Your best for him… whatever that may be.  Asking for You to put a hedge of protection around him so the Adversary — whose only agenda is to steal, kill and destroy — would not be allowed to rob him of the number of days You had set aside for him or his quality of life in those days.

It’s a mystery, Lord.  I know Your Word is always true.  Today, these prayers were answered in a way that has blessed — with joy overflowing — all who love this dear man.  I have also prayed like this for others when Your answer turned out quite differently.  When Your Sovereign Grace was played out in other ways — comforting those who mourned, with grief overflowing.  It’s a mystery, Lord, how Your precious Word could always be true when what we see with our eyes can be so different from what we hope in our hearts.

But I can live with the mystery of it all, because I don’t just see the “real” world around me anymore.  I see the Real World Maker and World Mover.  The One Who is able to bring a life back from the brink of death.  The One Who is able to send me off the mountain on two particular days, at two precise moments, to receive a text message sent in those precise moments, so I could be part of a miracle You knew You were about to accomplish.  The One Who could have — and would have — done it without me, but Who wanted to include me…

… so You turned my Airplane Mode into ALMIGHTY Mode!

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.  Truly He is my Rock and my Salvation, He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken.  My Salvation and my Honor depend on God; He is my Mighty Rock, my Refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge.”  (Psalm 62:5-8)

Awestruck,

Abba’s Girl

2 Comments

  • Paul Scruton says:

    We are with our brothers in Christ as we speak. Prayer is amazing. Miss you. Love. Paul & Brenda

  • Sue Thompson says:

    Praise the Lord ! You are SO special to me! I want to receive your blog – couldn’t figure out how from the website – Paul forwarded this one to me -love you, love you -thanks for your prayers!

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