Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

Access previous, “Occupying Series,” here.

Access current, “Assignment Underground” series here.

In the first post of this new series I discussed where we, as the Body of Christ on earth, will always be found “going about our Father’s business.” In a word, everywhere, ministering in both literal hiding places AND “hidden in plain sight”, that is to say, wherever and however our leader and guide, the Holy Spirit, prompts us to minister.

Just as God’s Word is not bound in man-made prisons of mind, soul, and/or body (see 2 Timothy, verse 9), believers are not deterred from ministering in one way or another even though it might appear we are confined and powerless within some kind of literal prison.

Put another way, you might say that where the Holy Spirit goes we go, as we listen to, and follow, Him.

Be encouraged and emboldened by these excerpts from a previous post inspired by the following verse: “Occupy till I come.” -Jesus, (from Luke 19:13)

Occupying, Part 6: Here, There, and Everywhere…

 

In short, we occupy:

• at home, work, school, prayer closets, and neighborhoods;
• halls of congress, boardrooms, recreation facilities, and malls;
• hospitals, faculty lounges, mills, industrial plants, and truckstops;
• church pews, choir risers, bake sales, and summer camps;
• rallies, peaceful assemblies, concerts, and family reunions;
• swimming holes, playgrounds, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations…

You get the picture.

Most of us would never be recognized as “occupiers” in a crowd or small group, even alone, walking down some street in Anytown praying for passers-by, airplane passengers and crews overhead, ambulance occupants, first-responders in fire and tow trucks, people out walking their dogs, fellow shoppers.

We occupy in prayer before our students come into the classroom and after they leave; before our patients come into examination or operating rooms and after, before we interact with our customers, clients, and associates in any venue, real or virtual.

And then, guided by the Holy Spirit, we pray for discernment as to how to proceed with action, if at all, in this juncture of interaction with others beloved of their Father in Heaven, no matter where they are on the spectrum of His plan for their life (or perhaps just on the precipice of awareness and choice). For we might just at that moment be called to only intercede for them.

But, perhaps there is, indeed, some seed of truth to plant, water, or harvest.

Perhaps some act of kindness, instruction, encouragement, or warning we can impart.

Perhaps some offering of food, water, shelter, clothing we can give.

Or maybe just a hug in due time, for a lonely heart. (Note: if viruses don’t spread during the shoving, spitting, grabbing, and screaming of profanities within inches of the face that goes on during what some support and call “peaceful protesting,” then they don’t spread with hugs, either). […]

Believers might seem nondescript and harmless and maybe even annoying underfoot (if not anathema to some), but, as God, through His Spirt, continually breezes in, out, in-between, below, above, and beyond His people, we keep going and growing, even as, by our cooperating with Him in both big and small ways, He continually saves, delivers, heals, restores, and creates–despite even the most formidable enemy, ever, as in that “thief” who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”

You know who.

And his little minions, too.

Because God in all His manifestations and through all His people, here, there, and everywhere, has “…come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

That’s where we occupy.

Join us?

Because you, me, and everyone else born of the Spirit and commissioned in each our corner of this hurting world, are sorely needed just now.