Walking with God means He makes key introductions along the way, leading to beautifully, rich friendships that reflect His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. You just never know who you are about to meet and why but as believers we can be confident that all through our lives, God will knit us into His colourful, vibrant family in interesting and surprising ways - knowing this, we can also partner with Holy Spirit to call forth these divine connections by faith. It was probably five or six years ago that I met one of the most beautiful women I've ever known at a healing conference near Surrey, outside London. It was a lovely day and I headed outside with my lunch tray, looking for sunshine - I got what I was looking for and so much more.
There she sat, a right bonny lass, her deftly styled pixie haircut framing beautiful eyes. I asked to join her... turns out she was struggling with the same affliction I had been healed of, so she was eager to hear my story which she needed as encouragement for her own journey; we both knew God was at work. She said, you should come and visit me in Northern Ireland. I said, I'd really like to. We both meant it yet years passed and though we exchanged a few emails, we didn't make firm plans to see each other again but nothing is in vain with God, there is a time for everything. So when I found myself in England, living alongside another beautiful Irish lass (hoping it's contagious), I mentioned that I had a friend from her neck of the woods...turns out nearly everyone knows everyone, or their nearest relative, in Northern Ireland, so no surprises, they knew of each other too! Shortly thereafter I was on a God-assignment in none other than Northern Ireland and finally Naomi and I got to fulfil the desire of which we spoke of that day long ago. Our friendship blossomed as we got to know each other more, we spent time eating together, praying and encouraging one another along the path that God had called us to walk. Not only did she invite me into her home but she invited me into her heart, and so did her husband, Mark. They became wonderful friends who spoke prophetically into our lives, sowed tirelessly into us through prayer and also through finances, obedient to Holy Spirit's leading. Their presence was an oasis to me, being with them refreshed me and gave me great joy. I'll never forget their kindness, the key part God called them to play in my life in that specific season and how they obediently and with joy, played it. It was a glimpse of the Kingdom in its fullness.
Then there was Steven and Lynette who lived about a 15 minute drive from us. They were already great friends with Deborah but having only met them once briefly, I hardly knew them. It didn't take long though as I cannot remember a time of feeling like 'I'm still getting to know them'. Just like with Naomi and Mark, God had it ready and waiting. All I had to do was walk in His will and by default encounter the safety and refuge that was Steve and Lynette. They welcomed me with open arms. Both of them did, in equal measure. I really enjoy long hugs, sometimes people want to pull away at that time when its usually deemed appropriate but sometimes I keep holding on. There's a healing in that affection, it's a mystery and I don't know exactly what happens but we're born to experience that kind of physical embrace and not just fleeting moments of it. Off course, being a single woman, you can't always do that with men and the propriety that comes with Christendom creates definite, if unspoken, boundaries. Yet with Steve, this was not the case, not then, not now. Lynette recognises that, as with her, one of Steve's gifts is affection, he is equipped with that certain aspect of Father's heart that embraces and there's healing and refuge and strength and love in it. She gives him room to spend his gift on her, their children and on others. I'm so grateful that they do not let jealousy or insecurity stand in the way of giving love away because it's a delight to be a recipient! No awkwardness, no-elephant-in the-room propriety, it's such a relief as it made me feel so welcome and it's what I really needed.
Their home is the kind where you can open the fridge and help yourself, sleep over if you felt like it or put your feet up on the couch at any time of day. In that setting, we enjoyed many laughs and prayer times; welcomed Shabbat with praises and thanksgiving; celebrated birthdays; ate many plates of butter chicken and just enjoyed being with each other. They were available and we needed them to be. The result was that Holy Spirit filled us up and we experienced healings and received revelation, so we could get even closer to Father God. Fellowship is a key to experiencing heaven on earth. Jesus taught us how to pray, He said, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As we pray in faith, hear the will of Father spoken though the leading of Holy Spirit and then do His will, we get to see heaven on earth. Sometimes doing His will is having an open door, welcoming people, hugging them and sharing your food with them. Sometimes it's giving them freedom to open your fridge door and help themselves, because whatever you have, you're willing to share. One of my love languages is cooking/hospitality, it is my gift to others. As a missionary, I sometimes get that opportunity and when I do have a kitchen to cook in and the freedom to cook as I want, what I want, it's wonderful! Steve and Lynette gave me creative license to do in their kitchen as I would have done in my own. I felt so at home, and when I go back there, I still feel the same way.
This brings me to, what is for me, one of the most beautiful psalms of David*:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil, poured on the head, running down the beard, on Aaron's beard onto the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord commands a blessing, even life forever more.
David writes of Aaron's head and beard. But we have a High Priest who is greater than Aaron, so David in writing this, prophetically speaks of something greater than the Aaronic priesthood, namely the Messianic priesthood. The oil represents the anointing of Holy Spirit, (for me, the pleasure of our Father) that is poured (not trickled, not drizzled but given without holding back) over Jesus Christ - and we know that whatever is His, is ours, because He shares freely with us** - and as it pours down His beard, it pours onto us, His body.***
True unity is loving one another. This brotherly, God-authored love is so powerful, that when we choose to do it, it is likened to the power of Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. This unity enables the body (us) to act as the Head thinks, then we are one not only with our Messiah but also with each other. So here is the double portion, do you perceive it? When we choose to dwell together in unity, we get the same oil (power and pleasure of God) that is poured out over Jesus because we are one with Him, i.e. directly under His Lordship. The resulting effect is that we come into an even deeper, greater unity with our Head and also each other (e.g. the eye and hand respond together in obedience to the thoughts of the Head). Unity begets unity and that leads to Father's blessing of life forever more.
I have had the privilege of being a part of this good and pleasant unity in many parts of the earth but most especially in Northern Ireland, where turmoil and division have been a theme and dark cloud over the land and people for years, there is good news, Father God has turned the tide and the oil is pouring forth.
There are many others in those parts that welcomed me, fed me, prayed for me, sang and praised with me and encouraged me. The love of Christ in the hearts of those whom He has called His own, that I had the opportunity to meet there, is strong and continuing to grow. My prayer for those who stand in faith in that land and indeed all of the UK is, come Holy Spirit! More! I bless you a thousand times as much as you blessed me, may every need you have be met by our faithful God and may you see waves of revival hit your shores. Amen.
Though I have not written of all of you (aye, perhaps there's a book in it), I say thank you to each of you who impacted my life with the greatness of the Living God, whether it was a visit; a movie ticket; a hug; a testimony; prayer; a meal or coffee; a prophetic word; money; a car; fuel; a surprise birthday dinner and picnic; a tour around Belfast or even a smile, it all caused my faith in Father to increase and revealed more of His character to me. Keep going my friends! I love you, it is an honour to know you all. Catch the fire Ireland!
*Psalm 133 ESV
**John 16:12-15
***Colossians 1:18 NLT
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