Awake and Alive

Have you ever read Heavenly Man by Brother Yun? When I read the book last summer, it changed my whole thought on prayer. Have you ever heard the statistic that we only use 8% of our brain capacity? I think I was only using 8% of my prayer capacity.

Brother Yun’s story is a complete affirmation that miracles exist and prayers are answered for those who have faith. And I’m not talking about, ‘Please Lord give me patience as I have to work with that crab today’ prayer. I’m talking about life changing, supernatural prayer where you would be in trouble if God didn’t come through for you.

There’s a chapter in the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan when he asks, “What are you doing right now that requires faith?” According to my comfortable lifestyle, nothing. In fact, besides the fact that I go to church and try not to cuss in front of my kids, my life isn’t that much different from an unbeliever.

He also wrote this, “God calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” In my current lifestyle, the only risk I was taking was driving too long on an empty gas tank.

The Chinese Christians in the underground church are thriving because they believe God, no, they expect God to do the miraculous, the supernatural. In my Christian life, I expect God to be there for me when I need him, like a boxing manager, waiting outside of the ring. What would our lives look like if we were guided by the supernatural? It’s a scary thought because God does some crazy things, things we can’t control.

I’ve finally realized why I was never quite content with my life. I am comfortable. I pretty much live the American Dream. House, husband, kids, dog, sports, family, church, shopping.

My spirit was not content because I was comfortable. We are called to something greater; some people call it radical. Jesus would call it being obedient. I’ve been living the American Dream, which turned out to be a nightmare.

I’ve finally been awakened.

“Jesus came to comfort the disturbed and to
disturb the comfortable.”