Continued from The Holy Spirit (1)….

Then he asked people with back pain to stand in the middle aisle. I had hurt my back badly a few months earlier, and the doctor said it would take about two years of physiotherapy to recover. Heather was putting on my socks for me in the morning. If I bent close to the mirror to shave, I wouldn’t be able to go to work that day. But it didn’t even cross my mind to stand up. Not because I didn’t believe in healing (I didn’t) but because of my view of God.

You see, I had decided that my back injury was good for evangelism. I spent less time playing sports – which was my favourite thing to do – and I had more time for God’s work. In fact, I would need help with a lot of things, and that would give me a chance to meet more of my neighbours. Yes, this was a good thing. Sad about the sports, but God has more important things on his mind.

Heather nudged me and I reluctantly joined the twenty or so people who were now standing in a line. The “prophet” said the Holy Spirit would move from the front to the back, healing people. Then two things happened at once. I could feel something like an electrical current in my back, so I turned around expecting to see Heather touching me, but she wasn’t. At the same time I could hear him say, “The Holy Spirit is on the tall man with glasses and a blue shirt” and I realized that was me. OK, that was a significant coincidence. What just happened!?

After the session we decided to go to the beach. On the drive over I was quietly freaking out. I was pretty sure God had healed my back, and that was blowing my mind. What was messing with my emotions though, is that there was no ministry reason to heal my back. The only thing I could think of is that God wanted me to be able to play sports again.

Up to that point in my life, there were several times where I had experienced the love of God. I would get lost in worship. He would answer specific prayers. Or his joy would overwhelm me. But I had somehow settled into a view of God where he was a wonderful boss. Lots of grace and patience, but at the end of the day we were still here to carry out the duties he has assigned us.

If God enjoys me playing, then I really like this God. If it turns out not to be true, I was going to be very disappointed, more disappointed than I thought I could manage. When we got to the beach, I was determined to find the answer. So I began picking up ridiculously heavy driftwood logs and throwing them from side to side. My back was fine. Jesus really loves me! And I was so happy I can’t describe it.

One of the things I notice about this story is my complete lack of faith. Heather took me to the charismatic church, made me attend the session, and got me to stand up for healing. I resisted, mocked and generally didn’t believe any of it until I tested it at the beach. Yet God in his mercy set me free from my fear and pride and filled me with his Spirit. Hallelujah!