He...opens their ear by adversity. (Job 36:15)
I wonder whether this is the reason why C.S. Lewis called pain “God’s megaphone”. Tough times have their own way of tuning our ears to hear God like never before. On October 24, 1931, Amy Carmichael prayed, “God, do anything that will help me to serve you better”. Later that same day, she fell, breaking her leg, which led her to spend the next twenty years bedridden and confined to a room. Having spent most of her time in Dhonavur as a mother of many Indian girl children rescued from temple prostitution, this fall stormed into her life as an adversity. Yet it was during this tough time that Amy began to hear God in a special way about her next course of ministry. She started sending thousands of letters to missionaries around the world, authored more than 10 books, and wrote beautiful poems. Adversity opened Amy’s ears to hear God in a special way.
Another blessing Amy had during those days was experiencing the love of people like never before. She never lacked people to help her all through her 20 years of confinement to bed. Writing to the Thessalonian believers who were going through some tough times, Paul said, “We sent Timothy, our brother, to strengthen and encourage you” (1 Thess. 3:2-3). Paul couldn’t take on their pain, but he sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to be with them in their hard times. Adversity opens the door to experience the touch of God’s people around us.
Are you going through a hard time these days? Keep your ears open and tuned to the whispering voice of God. He has something to tell you, and may God help you to get the message clearly through such times. Do you know someone going through an adverse experience? Maybe you need to play the role of Timothy. Just be there for that person, help in whatever ways you can. Praying is essential, but your presence is influential; therefore, don’t just stop with prayers. Pay a visit, send a meal, offer babysitting or hospital sitting, support financially with discretion, if you are a boss, then extend the leave for that person, speak encouragingly. May that person experience the powerful presence of God’s people during painful times. Such a presence is powerful and shall be remembered.
-Pastor