A Sunday Morning Testimony

Current Mood: Blessed

Have you ever connected with a song so much so to where it was as if that singer was the only person on earth who could identify with what you were going through? Well, that’s been the case with pastor and singer Shirley Caesar with her song, “I Told the Storm”. It started Sunday morning.

Sunday morning I woke up and was determined to go to church. I hadn’t been to my church in about 4 weeks, largely due to not having a vehicle and really not wanting to ask others to go out of their way to pick me up. However, that day I had to put that aside. I needed to be there. I missed my beloved pastors, I needed to partake in Holy Communion, I needed to serve with the other ministers, I needed to tithe and give an offering, and I absolutely needed to be up under the corporate anointing at my church. I tried to fancy going to another church just in case I couldn’t make it SGOMI; however, that just wouldn’t do. I needed to be at my home church. So I called a member of my church about 8:30 AM and asked her if she’d be able to pick me up. She needed to get back to me, so once we hung up, I asked the Lord to please provide a way. In faith I continued to get dressed and about 20 minutes later she called and said she was able to pick me up but she would be late. I told her I didn’t mind being late. I just wanted to be there.

As I patiently waited for her I began to play the song “I Told the Storm” and I began to pray. You see, I woke up that morning feeling very heavy. According to the certified letter I recently received, my house was going up for auction (foreclosure) in 5 days and I didn’t feel there was anything I could do to stop it. Though God had given me a different Word, I struggled with what He said and the letter I had read. I also felt very self-conscious because I had gained weight from trying to bury my feelings in food. Making matters worse is that Ms. Diva hadn’t had her hair done in months and it certainly showed. I felt like a hot mess and like my life was an even greater mess; however, I knew I had to be at church that day. God told me He was going to break something in me today. He told me that I wasn’t going to leave the same and that my spirit will be encouraged today. So I waited for my sister to pick me up, all the while playing over and over Shirley Caesar’s I Told the Storm.

I noticed the time was after 10:30 (our service starts @ 10:00 am) and she still hadn’t arrived yet. I began to ask God to give my sister safe and clear passage to my home, and I also was bold enough to ask Him to have our church service start late today. That may sound a little selfish, but that’s what I did. You see, I couldn’t afford to miss any part of the Word being brought forth that day. It was already around 10:40 and my ride hadn’t come AND it takes about 20-25 minutes to get to my church, so I needed God to work this out for me. I needed to make it to church and I needed God to somehow work it out so I wouldn’t miss what I needed from Him today.

My sister arrived at my house close to 11 AM and I was so grateful to her coming to get me. I know I live completely out of the way for her and the fact that she came out to get me, with me asking her at the very last minute, meant so much to me. I really don’t know if she knew how much she did for me that day. In some ways, God used her to rescue me.

As I sat in the car, I found it difficult to talk. Usually I’m a chatterbox around the people I’m comfortable with (she being one of them) but that day I couldn’t say anything. I knew that I would break down and cry if I said ANYthing so I said nothing. Though I didn’t tell her that, I believe she somehow understood that I really couldn’t speak too much at the time. I did manage to muster up the strength to share with her the song I had been listening to all morning. She then shared with me the song she was listening to, and when she played it, then it started. A seemingly endless stream of tears. All I could do is cry, as this man was speaking my story. The song began with him ministering (not yet singing) about the Job Experience and how he had lived through a similar experience. All I could do is cry because the words he spoke were the words that described my life at the time. I later found out that the name of the song is “I Still Believe” by Bishop Larry Trotter, and I share the same testimony that yet, I still believe God.

Once we arrived at the church, I marveled at God and His awesome grace. Not only had He provided me with a ride but He also delayed the start of the morning service! You don’t understand. Our church is pretty punctual at starting at 10AM and it had to have been around 11:15-20 when we arrived. We arrived during the start of our service which begins in prayer. This happens before praise and worship, before even the 1st Scripture is read. I knew that this miracle was none other than the hand of God!

Still carrying the spirit of heaviness, I determined to tap into the Spirit and to enjoy the service with full expectation that I wasn’t leaving the way I entered. I knew God had something for me and I was going to get it! And I tell you God certainly did NOT disappoint in any kind of way. My goodness, it was as if He had the actual church service tailor-made to me that day. I know that wasn’t the case, but it just really seemed that way. If you have a personal and intimate relationship with God, then I am sure you can attest that there are times when God makes you feel as though no one else exists in the world but you and Him. There are times when it seems like He moved heaven and earth just to make sure He delivers to you what you need. That’s what it was like Sunday morning during service. The praise and worship team sung my most favorite worship / war songs, songs that reminded me of who I am in Christ and songs that really encourage me. From there, even the sister who welcomed our visitors and read the announcements, she even blessed me with her message after the announcements. I believe this is what she read (or something very close to it):

You say: “It’s impossible.” God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: “I’m too tired.” God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: “Nobody really loves me.” God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: “I can’t go on.” God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm91:15)
You say: “I can’t figure things out.” God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: “I can’t do it.” God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: “I’m not able.” God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: “It’s not worth it.” God says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28)
You say: “I can’t forgive myself.” God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: “I can’t manage.” God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
You say: “I’m afraid.” God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.” God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: “I don’t have enough faith.” God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
You say: “I’m not smart enough.” God says: I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: “I feel all alone.” God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews13:5)
(Found on Internet – author unknown)

That truly blessed me because I was saying some of these same phrases to God. How awesome is God!

Then the Word of God came forth from none other than one of the most anointed teachers I’ve ever known, my Overseer and Bishop-elect, Dr. A. Ray Rouson, Sr. The title of His message set it off for me (ok, I got a little hood with that one). He preached from John 15:16 and his message’s title was “He Maintains What He Ordains” (Click here to read more about it).  My goodness, if that wasn’t tailor-made for me. Why? Because most of what I am facing now, specifically the big things, are indeed God-ordained and is in fact a direct response to being obedient to God. Goodness knows I am not trying to be super-spiritual; it just is what it is. And though his message was a statement, I internalized it as a question. “Naima, is this God ordained?” To answer that question, I had to also ask myself, “Naima, did God tell you to give up all that you gave up?” The answer to both questions is yes. Then the Bishop’s topic statement transformed into a promise statement, which is “Naima, God will maintain what He ordain.” Halleluiah!

I left church feeling far differently than how I first arrived. I was lighter. I was encouraged. I was empowered. I was re-ignited. I was edified. I was strengthened. I was indeed blessed beyond what I can express and definitely beyond measure! Fear had subsided and confidence in God’s Word and abilities prevailed. Nobody but God could’ve lifted this from me. As said in Mark 12:11, this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. I know that everything I shared with you was the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in my eyes!

I am expecting to see God’s favor rain and reign over my circumstances, and I can honestly say that I’ve already begun to see His favor over the last 48 hours (I will share that testimony at another time). I am expecting the impossible to take place; for what is impossible to man is possible to God. He’s already given the Word and everything must line up with the Word that God has spoken. All He requires is my faith and trust, and He has proven time and time again that He is more than worthy of both. Additionally, I’ve determined to be a faithful tither and giver regardless of anything I may be going through, and God has made special promises to those who tithe and give.

I know without any doubt that I am not deserving of His grace neither am I deserving of the awesome blessings He blesses me with; but I can say that I am grateful beyond what I can articulate. The testimony He’s giving to me is awesome and I believe that many people will be blessed by it, but above all, God will be glorified. Who else can take nothing and turn it into something? Who else can take something so ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary? Who else can take what seems to be inevitable doom and turn it into a favorable outcome? Nobody but the One and only Great I Am, the King of Glory, Jehovah Jireh, Emmanuel-God with us, Jehovah Nissi, the Lord of Hosts, the Almighty Yahweh is who was, and is, and is to come.

To God be All the Glory!

© 2009, Naima Williams. All rights reserved.