"Crock-Pot" Experiences
October 12, 2010
It is so encouraging when we go through an experience and then see the same experience spoken of in the Bible. Or when we hear saints share an experience of the Lord and the Spirit within reminds us of a portion of the word that speaks of such an experiencing of this indwelling Christ.
A sister shared a testimony recently of an experience at work in which the Lord touched her deeply. She had communicated with a co-worker in another state via phone and email. She was pleased that she had been able to help the co-worker by providing assistance with a work-related issue.
The following morning, as is her habit, she began the day by contacting the Lord and enjoying His sweet presence in an early morning time of prayer in the Word. Then she went to work. She sat at the desk and opened her email. She was included as a recipient, along with others, on an email from this co-worker. Rather than recognizing the sister for providing needed assistance, the communication implied that the sister had been responsible for a problem! This dear sister was very surprised by this note and immediately felt that she had been wronged and unfairly treated. The morning sweetness with the Lord suddenly was gone and resentment rose up. She considered how to word a note in retaliation, how to get even with this co-worker who had wronged her!
However, the "small sense" of the Lord operating within caused her to delay this immediate terse response. As she continued to share with us her experience, the tears began to flow. How quickly the "natural" response had risen up within her! She had been considering what hard words to include in her "rebuttal" response to the co-worker. But now the Lord was touching her heart and began His softening and exposing work. "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave." He did not defend Himself as he before His accusers. This One, now dwelling in our sister, was the forgiving One, the One Who poured Himself out even for those who put Him on the cross.
Our sister testified that there was an inner exposing. She worded a brief email response, with gentle wording, being careful not to "go beyond" the inner sense from the Lord. And even as our sister shared this word, the tears and trembling in the Lord's presence flowed.
A few minutes later the phone rang. The co-worker had read the note and called the sister. She had been touched and softened by the sister's gentle response and humbly apologized as the two shared a sweet moment on the phone.
Those of us listening to our sister's testimony may not have realized the richness of this experience. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, speaks of the depths of the experience of Christ. He says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure." Our sister's experience and testimony were exactly such a "working out" experience. This is the experience of the practical, instant, constant, moment to moment salvation, in, and by, the experience of Christ! In our natural concept we often imagine that the daily salvation would surely be an "outwardly victorious" thing. But Paul's word to the Philippians, and our sister's experience, tell us the true story. The "working out" of this salvation is a "fear and trembling" experience, as the Lord "operates" in us.
It is God Who operates in us!
B.R.