wLL 58 “Taste the Spices” Part 2

~ Erin Audio ☊

★★★★★

When I finished last week, I’d told you that I’m a relatively mild sort of person and that’s why when He adds “spicy” various trials and brings me through them—it grabs the attention of those who are witnessing my journey and abundant life.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my WITNESSES, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)

"But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!” (TPT)

Most specifically is my brother who has been a witness to what His power can do to a fool like me!

"But God has chosen the foolish things [and people, ME] of the world to confound the wise [my brother], and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong." 1 Corinthians 1:27

On a number of occasions, my brother has been so astounded—to the point that he’s often blurted out “HOW?!?” This happened so often during the years while traveling for the ministry (before He allowed me to pass on my mantle to my daughter Tara, 1 Kings 19:19). My brother loves and craves adventure, he goes after a spicy lifestyle (especially when he was young), while I was the sibling who enjoyed being home, craving a simple routine. (*Tara also loves and craves adventure, and goes after a spicy lifestyle and is much more suited to traveling and so— He has given her another way to grab the attention of witnesses).

My brother has also been baffled by all the books (and ministries) RMI has in so many languages. He published a book himself. I’ll never forget when he asked what was new and I mentioned the RYM had been translated into Tagalog when he shouted, “Tagalog?!? Seriously? I mean, you can’t make that up! You’re not smart enough to know it’s even a language, Erin, a language spoken in the Philippines!” Aren’t older brothers just the best?! Hahaha.

Yet, this is when I get the most excited, when challenged with a curt, ungracious comment like this. Because as I pause to listen, acknowledging that I don’t know how to answer and wait to hear what He will have me answer, I know He’s about to show up and astound us both with the reply spoken from my lips but given by our Heavenly Father. 

"...do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time."  Matthew 10:19 NET

Funny, too, that most of the time my brother also enjoys interrupting me before I have a chance to answer saying... “And don’t you dare tell me ‘It’s God!’” Then I silently giggle, take a long pause before saying, “Well, you know me, don’t you? And if it’s not GOD, how else is it possible? I’m a fool and you know it” and giggle some more. Leaving my PhD brother without knowing what to say makes me laugh along with God. Because I know that my brother knows it has to be GOD (and someday, you watch, because I’ll add his testimony to Salvation Stories).  

“He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4) and I enjoy laughing with Him.

Isn’t what my Heavenly Father said to me so true? That if everything did always run smoothly that our lives would become bland and flavorless and we would never have the privilege of navigating over, under, around, and through the difficulties while holding His hand or being carried closely to His breast. Also knowing that so many other people in our lives, people like my brother who do crave spiciness will be a witness to what He does and often ask HOW, just makes me so much more excited to watch as God adds a bit more spice to my life! What about you?