The Presence Helps

In February, we hosted the first ever Iris Conference in the U.S. for dear friends of ours, Heidi & Rolland Baker.  During one of the services, I was reminded that there were two brothers that had driven from up north somewhere and were at every service hoping Heidi would lay hands on the brother that was deaf.  I realized this was the last service Heidi would be able to pray for him and I didn't want him to be disappointed.  I leaned over to Rolland, Heidi's husband, and told him my predicament.  He encouraged me to consult with Heidi and see how or when she wanted to minister to this deaf man.  I was extremely reluctant because we were wrapping up one of the greatest worship services I had ever been a part of and Heidi was flat on her face and had not moved in a while.  I bothered her anyway with my story.  She looked up, totally wrecked at this point, and managed to say, "I just want to wait till the Presence falls."  Hmmmmmm!  Ummmm!  It already had fallen.  I racked my brain trying to figure out how what we just felt in this amazing worship time wasn't His presence.  Rolland met me with a typical Rolland half sheepish smile and wanted to know how Heidi responded.  I said, "Well, she wants to wait till the Presence falls."  Arms crossed, in absolute innocence and understatement, Rolland responded, "The Presence helps." 

I have to admit, I kind of felt as if they had not been in the same service I was in.  I realized what they were trying to say, but I myself couldn't articulate anything more than just, "The Presence helps."  Recently, my 4 year old said something to me that cleared it all up.  In the middle of a recent night of prophetic worship, she came up to me and said, "Daddy, I feel Jesus, but I want to see his face." 

I looked at her like she was the greatest theologian that ever graced this earth.  I finally realized that night what in essence we were waiting on.  We wanted to move beyond the goose bumps and chills.  We wanted to see His face.  We wanted Him to be present in the room, face to face with us.  It's not that we didn't experience His comforting and reassuring presence, but it wasn't all He had for us.

One of the most comforting things you can have while on the mission field and away from home in a while is nice cold Coca-Cola.  Although there may be slight differences in formula or the type of sweetener, just about anywhere in the world you go you can have a nice refreshing Coke that will make you feel like you are home again.  We know exactly what to expect from that little bottle of red and white. 

Do we have a Coca-Cola mentality when it comes to our intimate times with God?  Do we just go far enough to get those familiar goose bumps and chills that we have grown accustomed to?  Do we pursue His presence up to the brink of our familiarity?  I believe we do.

It is not enough for this church in Sarasota or any other church to just feel His presence.  We have to see His face.  One glimpse and our cities, this nation, and the world will never be the same.

Pastor Dan Minor