by Cindy Meadows
It was over ten years ago that the Lord dropped an idea into my mind and I decided to take bold action on it. I was overwhelmed, frustrated, and half angry that my plate was agonizingly too full. I knew I was called to intercession, but there were so many other things! Where was God’s direction and peace in all of this? The new year was not far away, and I wanted a new year in more ways than one. My plan: Check into a local motel on a Friday afternoon, but I would go in for an all-night prayer meeting. I craved an entire evening with Him. I knew that at church I might be interrupted and at home too many things screamed for my attention, so this was my best getaway. I arrived around 4:00 pm, loaded with music, snacks, and a bag stuffed with my Bible, paper, and a few favorite prayer books.
The first part of the evening I spent unwinding with music and lots of worship. My favorite part of prayer is worshiping and waiting, but in all honesty, the waiting is always my hardest part. Once I sense His touch, His presence, I sometimes respond quickly and let Him know all the things He should tend to—for me! Tonight was different. I didn’t have directives for God; I only wanted to wait and worship, worship and wait. I read about the faith of others, admitted my total inability to run my own life, and continued to soak and seek. Around 1:00 or 2:00 am, God began to speak. His thoughts came quickly and clearly. I began writing—scrawling all over yellow pages as tears stained the paper—and continued worshiping. I would sit down and write, then jump up and worship.
God let me know that a lot of things in which I was involved were things He had never asked me to do, had never intended for me to do. He hinted that because I loved to have my finger in every pie, I had brought a lot of unnecessary weight into my own life. That was His introduction, and He definitely had my attention. I began to see the difference between a called life and a driven life. In His kindness, He didn’t rebuke me but continued to share insight, revelation, and focused light on His personal desires for my life.
I later used my notes to write “My Life Purpose Statement.” I learned that I could add as many obligations as I chose, but the more “things to do” that I randomly accumulated, the greater I weakened His power in my primary call and purpose. I’ve found that in life, it’s not what you have done but have you done the will of God? Bill Johnson said, “Our job is to tap the revelation of the Lord in our area of talent or gifting so that we can accurately and powerfully reflect the King and His kingdom.”
I still remember the relief and empowerment I sensed. I now had permission to say no to many projects that were regularly coming my way—no to the nagging guilt that if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t get done. God’s insights were such refreshing waters to my soul!
I’ve had several prayer meetings in motels since that first night, but whether I pray in a motel or not, I’m careful to create a fresh Life Purpose Statement for each new year. I spend time seeking and querying God as to His desires on my time, where He might want me to adjust or fine-tune things. Gone are the days where I recklessly decide what I will take on. I pursue His alignments regularly and reverently.
It was truly a profound and pivotal night, but the lessons learned in that hotel room have lasted over a decade. I considered it an intersection of destiny in my life!
Cindy Meadows and husband, Mike, pastor of Faith Worship Center in Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate of Gateway College of Evangelism, and her ministry includes teaching and training. She also serves as a member of the Women of the Word Committee. |
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