The Great Reveal

Have you ever been desperate to know God’s will for a specific life decision and desire to do the right thing? Or perhaps you are in a bind about circumstances and don’t know what to do practically? I have been there too. I am not talking about decisions on what to wear, what to eat, or daily affairs that comes with common sense. We’re talking about major decisions in life that will impact your future and/or others around you.

I remember vividly the week I took to pray, ponder and seek God about a gap-year program offered at our church called Master’s Commission in 2003. It was an 8 month discipleship program for those feeling the tug to grow spiritually and serve God. 

At the time, I had just graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. The only way to transition from being an International student to stay in Canada was to obtain a job or remain a student by enrolling in another post-secondary program. I applied for several jobs while applying to study Graphic Design at Emily Carr.  These options changed when Pastors Dave and Cheryl shared about this discipleship program at the Sunday service. At that moment I felt the Spirit compelling me towards it, but I reasoned it to be a crazy thought. Why would I give 8 months with no work, and no opportunity to use this to apply to stay in Canada? Would I waste my degree?

The desire and curiosity about this program did not leave me alone, so I proceeded to ask my Life Group leader for wise counsel; I did my due diligence by inquiring about the program; I asked for peace, and divine circumstances. These steps were lining up but what I needed the most was a confirmation from God’s word for me to step out in faith

I remember the evening during a time with God reading 2 Corinthians 8:10-15. This passage says “And in this I give you advise: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but you also must complete the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion of what you have.”  Right then, I had sensed the Holy Spirit speak straight into my heart answering my question what my next step should be.  He reminded me of the time I had prayed a year before with my desire to grow in Him and give myself to serve. Though this passage refers to giving financially towards Kingdom work, for me meant to obey in giving of my time based on my previous prayer of commitment. 

Have you ever played with “water-reveal colouring pads” where you brush water over some colourless drawings, and suddenly the page come to life with colours when wet?  The feeling of discovery and amazement when seeing the color unveil is the same I had when the Holy Spirit illuminated His Word, becoming alive, and giving me direction. This moment with the Holy Spirit became a catalyst in my faith and obedience in dedicating 8 months to Jesus. Little did I know that this step would lead me into a great purpose. It was a small but a great reveal – a rhema word. 

Whenever you experience the Holy Spirit bring to your attention a portion of scripture with an application to your current situation or need for direction, you have received a rhema word.

The word “scripture” or “Word” in the Bible can be translated either logos or rhema. Logos refers to the Word of God, The Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit which was written by different authors. Rhema refers to scripture that the Holy Spirit uses to speak to us leading us to personally apply in our circumstance. Jesus told His disciples (and us) that the Spirit would teach them all things, guide them into all truth and tell of things to come. 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. – John 14:26

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. – John 16:13

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul teaches that we can pray for the Spirit to flood our heart with spiritual wisdom and insight, so we may grow in the knowledge of God.

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[a] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power – Ephesians 1:16-19 (NLT)

The good news is that the Holy Spirit desires to bring the word alive and speak to you personally directing your steps! The key thing here is to position ourselves by:

1. Reading His Word daily following a plan. Revelation of Jesus and His plan for your life is found in His Word (logos), because His word is His will. As you read it, study it, reflect one it, you will hear His voice (rhema) and He will show you His will. His word is a light to your path. We don’t need to be looking to the world, or in self-help books for good plans and strategy. His plans are found in His word. This is why is important to read His word and spend time with God every day. If you don’t know where to start, we recommend you to follow the Bible in One Year Plan by Nicky Gumbel
   
   “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and light to my path” – Psalms 119:105 
   
   
2. Praying to the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, speak to you and reveal truth through His word. When considering this discipleship program, I prayed for God to confirm His steps for me through His word. I knew that God’s will was in His word, and whatever He would ask me to do needed to line up with Scripture. Moreover, it is also wonderful that the Holy Spirit will make it applicable to your life and download supernatural wisdom on needed occasions.
    
   “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” -Psalm 119:18
   
   
3. Seeking earnestly after Him. I remember that week praying for God’s next step. I had to take away distractions, and spend quality time dwelling in His presence, and fixing my eyes on Him because I wanted to follow Jesus no matter what. It is easy to be distracted and look for good plans in the world.  Go to the One who knows best and has the best for you. He wants to answer you!
   
   “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…” – Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Whatever situation you may be in, Jesus gave you His Holy Spirit to be your guide, your teacher, and the One who reveals the things to come. As you surrender to Him, He will help you not miss all the good plans He promised you.