Faith Walk
Faith Walk, 2010 – John Baker (2nd year IMT)
I used to think I didn’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. I would always turn to others, like my own father, for guidance and leadership. I used to think I had to achieve some form of spiritual intensity through regulated prayer and reading and fasting in order to hear that renowned ‘still small voice’. That is, I used to think those things until Faith Walk. On this Faith Walk, we embarked with the new emphasis to focus on ministry and spreading the gospel.
On my previous Faith Walk, it was more of a “how fast can you get back to Tulsa” kind of deal which made it easy to focus on getting blessed instead of being a blessing, so this involved quite a change in attitude and mindset about the whole deal: it was no longer about me, or even my team. Our sole purpose was to bless and minister to people’s lives.
When we first set out, we were excited and optimistic. But it was only a matter of time before we came to a fork in the road. Initially deciding on going left, I felt a great sensing, or feeling, or knowing (I’m not quite sure how to describe it) to turn and go the other way. Our opinions were divided, so we settled on a short time of prayer to focus on what the Holy Spirit was leading us to do. Afterwards, we decided to go that other way. Of course, at the time I had no idea if the way we had taken was really the Holy Spirit or not, but that’s what the rest of the story is for…
On our first day, we received very little ministry. We were discouraged and hungry. Finally, when our energy and optimism was all but sapped, we repented for our selfish mindset. “We don’t care even if we don’t receive any rides or food or a place to sleep, we just want lives to bless” we prayed. With that being said, all of us fell to sleep on the side of our road. Then, just half an hour later, I awoke to the sound of a pickup pulling up alongside of us. “What are y’all doing?” called a heavily accented voice from the cab. We explained to them that we were IMT’s, what we were about and what we were doing. Much to our surprise, they offered us a meal and a place to stay for the weekend. With much rejoicing, we accepted, and that weekend many seeds were sown and ministry was given.
Through this experience, I learned just how important it is to completely put aside our self centeredness, because with that mindset of “Okay, let’s pray to get blessed and eat food and sleep somewhere”, we were not fit to be a blessing to others. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. If you’re all caught in worrying about yourself, then it’s impossible to be a fully functional vessel of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If your focus is always on you and your needs, then you can’t focus on others and their needs. We, as his representatives, absolutely must make that our mandate for each of our lives. Jesus already commanded us to live in his example. When will all of us start? My Faith Walk not only showed me that I truly do hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, but that His voice is one that must be followed with selflessness and a heart that’s eager and willing to serve, no matter the cost. That is our mandate. That is how Faith Walk changed my life.
