An Encounter with. . .

July 26, 2010

Last night, I went with some friends to a church thing. I typically don't stray far from my own stomping grounds, but this seemed (at least by the advertising) like something I'd be "into." And for the most part. . .it was.

The worship. . .ohhh the worship. Amazing. Passionate. Freeing. Wow. It was beyond wonderful. I felt parts of my spirit opening up that had been shut up for a while. While not a MOW event, it definately had a "mountain" feel to it. I kept watching. . .waiting to see who was going to break free from walls of the dam, who would be the explosion that would bring all the spirits of religion and limitations crashing down.

I wept as the woman next to me broke out of the aisle, joined by teenage boys, dancing in worship.

I watched another woman abandon herself to the music, to the worship, to her Savior. She was still in the room, but she was definitely SOMEWHERE else too.

One of my friends wasn't feeling too well. We'd all been at a picnic earlier that day, and he thought he might have a touch of food posioning. I prayed for him, laying my hands upon him, expecting healing ESPECIALLY in this place of freedom.

At the end of the service, many people were being prayed for. I moved through the crowd up front, enjoying the presence of God, wanting more still. Without going into details, I"ll say this. I was approached by a woman who directed me to the other side, and was mildly chastised for having prayed for my friend earlier, because "We don't do that here." What they don't do is allow people of one gender to pray for someone of the opposite gender.

Now, that said, let me say this. I can completely understand not being ok with a man and a woman heading off behind closed doors for some "prayer ministery." But in a room, with 400 other people, what EXACTLY do you think is going to happen that's inappropriate if a man lays his hands on a womans head and prays for her?

My God - when did we decide that these rules are somehow more appropriate than the ministry of Jesus Christ to the hurting? To those who need healing? To the ones for whom a simple touch will break down years of distrust? When did the "Jezabel" spirit run off the Holy Spirit?

And so. . .still. . .I hunger. For true freedom in Christ. For worship that has no barriers. For relationship that GENUINELY reflects Jesus. I wonder what they would have done had I wept on this man's feet, and then dried them with my hair? Would that have somehow been MORE appropriate than laying on hands and praying for him?

When. . .when. . .WHEN are we as the body going to begin to work together as a body? When do we begin to operate in the integrity of Jesus Christ and demonstrate that so that these ridiculous rules are no longer necessary? When do we answer the call. . .HIS call. . .regardless of how well it meshes with our "rules."

Freedom by its very nature is meant to be FREEING. I don't want freedom that keeps me shackled by the limitations of who I can or can't minister to. As a medic, I would help ANYONE, any time. Regardless of gender, color, sexual orientation, etc. Why is it more acceptable for me as a medic to put my hands on someone in THAT circumstance, but in the church - where lives can be saved and changed - I'm not allowed to touch a man?

Ah God. . .I'm hungry. Not for a "trailer" of Your outpouring, but for the "feature event."