By Pastor Drew Wilkerson
There are rare moments in this life when you realize that you are in the midst of a miracle. I know that every day is a gift from God, but then there are times when God shows up and we are amazed. That is what happened on a bright and beautiful Sunday morning in the spring of 2007.
Just before service, Don, the leader of our mission’s team, came to me. He said that he had openings he really needed to fill for the trip going to South Dakota. Every year we send a team to work with children on the Lakota Sioux Indian Reservation located in Allen. There was a group going out in June, but we were short two people. I told Don that I would make an announcement during worship and we would see what would come of it.
As promised, I thought I would make a brief statement and try not to take away from the time of celebration. However, I soon came to realize that when God is allowed to be in charge of his service, moments of spontaneity are truly acts of worship.
In as few words as possible, but with great enthusiasm, I asked anyone who felt led to go on the missions trip to South Dakota to see Don after church. Then it happened. Just as I finished my last two words, Gordon stood up. No one had asked him to stand, but from the middle of the pew, he rose to his feet. It was obvious that God was speaking to him. His voice quivered a bit, but with enormous confidence he said, “God told me, just now, to stand up and pledge the money for the trip expenses so two people can go to South Dakota. I don’t know who is supposed to go, but I will pay the money for them both.” Then Gordon sat down.
The entire congregation sat in awe. Everyone was silent and all eyes were on me. In that moment, I realized that God wasn’t done. I turned a quick prayer to heaven, and then, at God’s promoting, I said, “If God told Gordon to pledge the money for two people to go to South Dakota, I believe the two people are here who God wants to send on this trip.” Immediately, a young couple stood up. They said, “We knew God wanted us to go to South Dakota, but we didn’t have the funds.” And with tears in their eyes, they said, “We know that God has provided for us and we will go.” The congregation erupted in praise and celebration!
Everyone knew that day that they were in the midst of a miracle, and we have never been the same since. The South Dakota trip went as scheduled, and countless lives were changed. I know my life was changed in a way I had never experienced before. It isn’t often that we are allowed to be a part of a miracle in the making. I am grateful to God’s servants for being obedient that day, and I am grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to be still and know that he is God.
As a footnote to this life-changing story, I think it is important that you know two more things about this incredible miracle in the making. As Cindy, Gordon’s wife reports, “God even told Gordon where the money was to come from that day. He had been saving and rolling coin change for vacations and knew that he was to give that money for the missions trip! It was a ‘God breeze’ that touched him that day.” And the miracle didn’t end here. The very next year the young couple paid for someone else to go to South Dakota. Miracles aren’t meant to be momentary. God wants us to pass the blessing on and keep the miracle going!
So, what about you? What miracle does God want you to be a part of? The next time God is speaking, no matter where you are, I dare you to say yes. Be careful, though. You might just find yourself in the midst of a miracle.
Drew Wilkerson is the Pastor of Lifetree Church, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania