A Holy Moment

Last month, in honor of Father’s Day, the Filipina office staff had chosen “God as Our Father” as the theme of patient devotions for the month of June. On my assigned days, six idyllic father-child pictures were displayed on the large donated screen.

How many of us can relate to such pictures? On this mailing list, perhaps many of us. My own father loved God, his wife, his children, his church, his community, and his country in genuine, sacrificial ways. In this crowd, the likelihood of such love and devotion was low. It was more likely that the father—or father figure—was negligent, if not unkind and/or abusive. And yet, all of us yearn for a father who loves, consoles, encourages, supports, defends, plays with, and listens to us. Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord God Almighty has revealed Himself to us as a Perfect Father?

The case was presented: a Perfect Father who wants to adopt us, but our sin separates us. The room was attentive and quiet. One could feel the movement of the Holy Spirit. What really caught my attention were the male partners in the room who had come with their wives or girlfriends. Riveted. You can see it in the picture!

I finished the devotional with a Gospel presentation. Ange, one of the staff, came up to close in prayer. But first, she gave an invitation—and friends, this was not a Billy Graham kind of invitation with “every eye closed and every head bowed…” No. Ange asked them to raise their hands. In public. There were about 30 adult patients and partners in the room. About 10 hands went up. Ange told them they could put their hands down, but only about half of them did. The rest kept their hands up as if taking an oath.

Ange prayed. The room was still. The Holy Spirit was present. I looked around in wonder.

I retreated to a room to ponder and pray. Did that really happen? If so, I had better be praying for these dear souls, touched by God and called by love to adoption. (“What manner of love!”) Staff and volunteers descended on the room as we marveled at the work of the Lord through our little ministry.

I long to see a church planted that will be devoted to working with us and following up with these precious souls. Meanwhile, these patients receive a readable Bible in their heart language, with instructions on how to read it. God will reveal Himself to whoever seeks Him. That is Gospel Truth. It is a Truth I live.