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When Principal Spirits Speak!
So pause with me for a moment and picture the time Peter was locked in chains, surrounded by highly motivated Roman guards, waiting to be called from his 'hopeless' imprisonment to appear before Herod and most likely experience the same fate as James .. to be beheaded. Now picture that wonder-filled "suddenly" - a beyond brilliant Light - an angel - everyone around Peter frozen in time - Peter awakening to what seems like a way-to-surreal dream. Chains were dropping to the ground, doors opening - walking with the angel right by all the guards - and then once entirely outside - shaking off the dream feeling as he realizes in awe what just happened in real-time.
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Now, as Peter "comes to his senses," we quickly shift our imagination to a room in a nearby house and watch with knowing delight all those passionate folks continuing to storm heaven for Peter. Peter, not knowing that he, is about to knock on their door with an astounding testimony of answered prayer. We can see Peter desperately trying to get someone to come and open the door, and when one of the women inside finally does come, she is so overwhelmed by Peter's presence she runs back inside without letting Peter enter.
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Keep the whole scene alive in your imagination. Everyone inside is now arguing with the woman about her claim—the impossibility of what she is saying. At the same time, Peter is still standing outside in front of a locked door.
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What if Peter was never let in because everyone silenced the woman as a demonic distraction to their intercession? What if they delayed so long Peter left to go to another house? Fortunately, none of the "what if's" happened, and the already happened miracle allowed to enter and cause an explosion of praise and thanksgiving.
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Now here comes a very challenging question. How come the doors of Hell with all its unbreakable chains and impenetrable guards became effortlessly wide open for Peter, and the door to the church was not?
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Peter could not effortlessly walk through that door. Instead, he had to wait until the folks inside "came to their senses" and opened the door to their miracle.
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The door of Hell was not a problem for Peter, but the door of the church was. So we need to question how many "already happened miracles" are waiting outside church doors today (or any doors). But, at the same time, the folks inside are passionately intent on discovering, discussing, examining all the 'keys to doing it right instead of just opening the door and welcoming in the miracles with praise and thanksgiving.
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And for you and me, what might all this imagining might be saying? Among many other cool things, now might be a really good time to shut the door of our "have-get-it-right" driven need to pray for miracles.
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Instead, let us open the doors of praise and thanksgiving to the Eternal, Supernatural, Miraculous One who is always there knocking. Yes, just like the folks back then opened the door to a wonder-filled time of celebration that is just waiting to come bursting in.
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"When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
Acts 12:12-16 (ESV)
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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Wayne C & Stephanie Anderson & Your I.A.M. Apostolic Directors & Team
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