Flat on the Floor: You’re Not Low Enough
God uses the people in our lives to reach us sometimes
In August of 1996, my husband and I were invited to attend the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida. Now, I would like to say we were all aflutter with the thought, but honestly, it was just another day in the busy lives of two exhausted people. You see, our friends were persistent in pursuing us, feeling led by the Holy Spirit; they sincerely felt we were to attend a revival service. Truthfully, we resigned ourselves, that these lovely people were not going to let us off the hook until we agreed to load up the car and head to Pensacola. Little did I know I’d end up flat on the floor. Thank God for “those people” who never, ever give up on us.
As we approached the church, long lines met us with hundreds of people waiting to enter the sanctuary. We had never seen anything like it before. We had no concept of “hungering for God, pushing through the crowds, stretching forth in hopes of touching the hem of His garment.” Little did we know we were about to encounter the ONE whom their hearts were yearning for.
Something different…
As we were ushered into the sanctuary to take our seats, the very atmosphere was charged with something; something we had never encountered before. There are no words for that moment, the love we felt, the joy of fellowship, the overwhelming sense that, we were home. The Psalms declare it this way, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!” In one voice, one mind, one heart, the people sang a “new song” to the ONE who is deserving of our praise. You see, I thought I had loved God with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength; but without praise and adoration, how can one say, that they truly love God? How can we say that we truly know HIM.
The moment on the floor that changed everything
I had spent years in disciple classes, heading up women’s conferences, sitting on numerous church boards, but had never encountered, personally, the glory of God. As the prayer team came around to pray, a heaviness, a weighty presence of God, came upon me. As I began to slowly surrender, melting into the floor, I heard the voice of God speak, “You are not low enough.” All of time stood still in that moment, as I heard Him declare over me, “You are not low enough.” I had never heard His voice before, but in that moment, when the Creator speaks to His creation, there is no wondering, “Is that you God?” “As the deer longs for streams of waters, so also my soul bellows for you, Lord Jehovah!” (Psalm 42:1) “His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.” (Ezekiel 43:2) Out of my innermost being, I heard the words escape my mouth, “Lord I praise you.” I had never spoken those words before. I had never humbly and honestly praised the Lord. His voice pierced my heart, never to be the same again.
For what seemed like hours, I slowly surrendered my life, my plans, my husband, my children, MY, MY, MY stuff, to the ONE who had created me for His glory… for His praise. A stream was being birthed in me, “If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. I will create rivers of living water, which will brim and spill out of the depths of you.” (John 7:37-39) I don’t know about you, but I need the effervescent, over-flowing, daily deluge of the mighty presence of God in my life.
What is He saying to you?
So what about you? Are you like me, busy like Martha, never slowing down long enough to float on the waves of His presence? One drop, friend, is all it takes. Begin to surround yourself, with “those people” who are not deterred with obstacles that seem to get in the way. Surround yourself with “those people,” who are so desperate for a touch from God, that they “make an opening in the roof of your circumstances and lower you into the presence of God.” (Mark 2:4) That is what our friends did for us.
So be “intentional” during this season of your life. Awaken your hearing to the voices who are leading you to His holy sanctuary, His holy presence. Ask yourself, “Am I desperate for you God?’ “Are there rivers of living water, flowing forth from my life?” Does your spirit come alive as you sleep, shouting in the silence, “I praise you Lord!” Listen…. ask yourself, “Am I low enough?”
Psalm 139, David declares:
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
