I inadvertently raised my bowed head and opened my eyes when I heard her words.
“God, give to all of us a spirit of wisdom and REVOLUTION,” she prayed.
My friend Shana* almost always offers a few words of prayer in her heavily accented English as we close our Bible studies at The Lamb Center, a local day shelter for poor and homeless individuals where I serve. Shana rarely misses Bible study and takes great pride in carefully preparing and lighting the candles on the table before we start each day. While lighting candles to signify a time of reverence during Bible study has long been our practice, it is only in recent months that Shana has decided it is her job to make it happen.
Despite living in difficult circumstances, she occasionally spends her own money on pretty candles she finds on sale, her gift to the community where she has found a home.
Each week when I arrive at The Lamb Center, Shana is the first to greet me with a warm smile and a squeeze of my hand or a quick hug. I can easily imagine her bustling around, busily using her obvious gift of hospitality if we all arrived for a meal at her house, despite being far away from the war-torn country she once called home. I find myself with a lump in my throat as I watch the careful attention she gives the candles, her desire to make everything just right for these people she has come to love.
Although struggling to put her life back together after escaping an abusive marriage, Shana radiates joy, courage and a fierce resolve to find good in the world.
Despite her Muslim roots, Shana loves the Bible and is an eager student and frequent participant in our conversations around the table. Her ability to make connections, give examples from her own life, and encourage others to step out in faith regularly inspires and challenges me.
Because Ephesians 1:17 is a favorite of mine, she has heard me speak frequently of our God’s willingness to give us “a Spirit of wisdom and revelation” as we seek to know Him better. Intelligent, thoughtful, and quick to memorize passages that capture her attention, I wasn’t surprised when she began to frequently mention God’s gift of wisdom and revelation in our conversations and her desire to experience it in her own life.
But this week was different. This was the first time she referenced the verse in this unique way. Was it her accent? Or was I just hearing her incorrectly? Did she really just say wisdom and REVOLUTION?
Closing time comes quickly after Bible study, so I wasn’t able to consider her words until I was driving home. Wisdom and revelation. Wisdom and REVOLUTION. Whether a slip of the tongue or a trick of my ears, it didn’t matter. My imagination was sparked.
Revolution: a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people’s ideas about it.
• What would happen if we read the definition of revolution through God’s eyes?
• Through kingdom eyes, what might it look like for us to have a Spirit of wisdom and revolution? How could that difference change our lives?
• Isn’t revolution what Jesus came to bring? A dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way things work and the way we think?
• What might revolution look like in my OWN life? A revolution fueled by a spirit of wisdom — THE Spirit of wisdom?
As the week unfolded, the spark grew and the idea of God’s wisdom starting a revolution in me continued to smolder and catch fire. As I pondered changes I needed to make, I smiled in gratitude at the part God had allowed my friend Shana to play in the work He was doing in me.
Shana, the careful steward of the flame at our holy table.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Kelly,
As I read your post, I could just see you opening an eye during the prayer as if to ask “Did I just hear that correctly?” Revolution – I love the idea. Usually a revolution starts with just one person who has a vision and then others catch on. Jesus had that vision – one where grace and love rule and His vision caught on and look where it is today. But, He calls us to be like Shana (the keeper of the flame) and be leaders of our own revolutions right where we are in our tiny corners of the world. What if Christians all truly acted like Christ in all of our everyday encounters…..would a revolution develop? Lots of good and thought provoking concepts to ponder. May Shana’s slip of the tongue (or purposeful word change) be a call to action in all of us.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Kelly Johnson says
A call to action indeed! Thanks for your inspiring words, Bev. Praying with you for a world where grace and love rule. Blessings- Kelly
Michele Morin says
Whether it was intentional or not, I love the way my heart is moved to pray for the glorious upheaval that will come if “the eyes of our understanding [are] enlightened, if we “know the hope of His calling” and “the riches of the glory of His inheritance.”
Sometimes we pray better than we know!
Kelly Johnson says
I LOVE the idea that “sometimes we pray better than we know.” If our hearts are open to hear Him, He will indeed be heard. Praying with you for that glorious upheaval in all of us!
Mary Hood says
A simple word change to change a life! It only takes a spark…..Beautiful, thoughtful expression.
Kelly Johnson says
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Mary! Now the question is how to turn that spark into a flame. Blessings to you!
Shelley says
Good morning, Kelly Johnson. Thank you for sharing this message with me today. I’m deeply inspired by Shana’s interpretation. As I was reading, I remembered that my church is having Revival Night next Sunday evening. All 5 campuses are joining together at a symphony hall to celebrate Jesus and to welcome a refreshing of the Holy Spirit within us personally and as a united whole people in Him. I’m praying for that revival to bring revolution within the lives of our church members and within the surrounding communities that we all live and serve. Praise be to God for His Wisdom, revelation knowledge, and the revolution that is rising up within His people; for all the lives that will be touched and saved by the sharing of the Gospel and the flowing waters of the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit being poured into our communities! Glory to God, I am excited to see the wonders He will do! Blessings and Grace to you.
Kelly Johnson says
Thank you for sharing your your beautiful words of inspiration, Shelley. I am praying now for Revival Night at your church.
Father, we ask for you to pour out your Spirit on Shelley’s church next Sunday evening and light a fire of love, compassion, courage and connection in their community as only You can do! I too am excited to see the wonders You will do!
Blessings and grace to you as well, Shelley!
Shelley says
Thank you for your prayer, Kelly! I’m going to share your message and your prayer with my Sisterhood Bible study group (All Things New: A Study on 2 Corinthians, by Kelly Minter) this Friday.
Jennifer Covill says
I listen to sermons from all over the United States, and pastors are preaching about revival. Revival that begins with the individual and spreads throughout the communities and nations. Revival? Revolution? I believe God is speaking to us all through those whom we can hear. May we all pray for personal revolutions/revivals.
Kelly Johnson says
Amen, sister! Praying with you for personal revolutions within each of us so that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to our hurting world!
Brenda says
Jesus was the ultimate Revolutionary, wasn’t He? The ultimate change-maker. The ultimate counter to culture’s ideals. What an example of revolution He left. — Don’t you love how God uses everything to speak? Love how your spirit responded to His with a simple, unnatural word. Thanks for sharing, Kelly. 🙂
Kelly Johnson says
Thank you, Brenda! And yes, I am crazy about the way God uses everything to speak to us. It happens repeatedly to me at The Lamb Center. I meet Jesus at that table every single week. <3
Annie says
Thanks, Brenda. I love the way you recognize the many ways God speaks to us. For me it is usually visual: I see the beauty in this world He created for us and find gratitude in my heart whenever this happens.
Renee says
I ecountered a woman in my lifetime who started and left a “revolution” of praise and worship. We said our farewells to her this week. She battled cancer for 6 years. Never once in those years did she lose or give up on her praise and worship to our Lord. What a revolution she started in us!
Kelly Johnson says
Renee, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. What a legacy your friend left behind! Praying for comfort as you treasure those memories and use them as a catalyst to live as your friend lived. <3
Stacey says
Kelly,
This is so powerful and moving! Beautiful words!
Kelly Johnson says
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Stacey! I’m glad you found something here that resonated with you. Blessings to you!
Cortney Fisher says
Isn’t it awesome how God can work in our hearts – just the way WE need Him to – even from a potential “slip of the tongue”? I’ve found this to be true in my own life – and even sometimes in the simplest of things, a commercial that sparks something I know I need to work on, a friend reaching out at just the right time to be the hands and feet of God, or even a compliment or criticism at work. God is always there – ready to speak if we’re willing to listen. Such a great reminder. Thanks, Kelly!
Kelly Johnson says
Thank you, Cortney! And YES, I am crazy about the intimate and personal ways God reaches down into our lives and speaks to us in exactly the way we need to hear His voice. It makes me think of the name Hagar gave to God in Genesis 16- the God who sees me! Aren’t we so lucky to be seen my our Abba Father? <3
Edna Davidsen says
Dear Kelly
Today I read your blog post “Keeper of the Flame” with interest.
It was such a beautiful read to read about your friend Shana. People like Shana do a fantastic job keeping our churches prepared. The problem is that we do not always acknowledge them for the job they’re doing.
She sounds like an excellent resource for The Lamb Center.
Your blog posts got me thinking about one aspect of life:
We can serve right now, right where we are. We do not have to wait until the circumstances are right until we have solved all our problems because that will never happen.
Sure, we can see similarities between the words revelation and revolution.
I understand you were in doubt which word she used 🙂
I can only speak for myself, but I’ve often found that I tend to seek the comfort-zone instead of accepting and seeking changes in life.
Your blog post was a good reminder.
I’ll share on Social Media Saturday, November 18.
Blessings!
Edna Davidsen
Kelly Johnson says
Thanks for sharing, Edna! And I LOVE what you said about serving right now where we are, instead of waiting for the “perfect” circumstances. YES! Someday is a myth, now is the time to join Jesus in the adventures He has waiting for us!
Edna Davidsen says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Jen says
A revolution came about in me through struggle. So many times we escape to our comfort zones instead of pushing forth into the calling the Lord has for us. But once I surrendered to the Lord the revolution is surrounded by peace. The revolution in me is bringing about revolution in the circles of influence around me. It really is small actions taken daily that make a huge difference.
Kelly Johnson says
YES, Jen!! Revolution by its very nature is contagious! Being brave, stepping out of our comfort zones, gives others permission to do the same. And sometimes the smallest shift is the beginning of the bravest journey! <3
Leslie says
Kelly, this is so inspiring! I love how God speaks to us in these small quiet ways that end up lighting a fire inside! Your friend Shana is such an example to follow. Thank you for sharing this!
Kelly Johnson says
Thanks for your words of encouragement, Leslie. Yes, Shana is an inspiration to me every week and, by the way, she still says REVOLUTION every week in her prayers. And it does light a fire in me every time I hear it!
Kelly R Smith says
I love this story and the impact it had on you and now us. The idea of revolution feels so refreshing right now! Let’s fan the flame, sister! Thank you for sharing.
Kelly Johnson says
Yes, ma’am! I am all about fanning that flame. Thank you for the ways you encourage me every day, sister. Love you!
Kim B Smith says
Kelly,
Beautiful blog post, love it. Just one word broaden my horizon so to speak to get even closer to God. I just said I am so grateful to Him placing such beautiful people in my life this year, and look, just a simple word in your life, to impact my life…how I just the simple things that lead to God’s impactful words.
revolution. yes indeed!
Kelly Johnson says
“Just a simple word in your life, to impact my life…” That means the world to me! YES! That is why we share our words and the things God is teaching us. Let’s fan the flames of holy revolution together, sister!
Kim B Smith says
Doing that and let’s connect! Thank you! xo
Rebecca L Jones says
I don’t think most people understand a spirit of revelation ( which can be revolutionary ), we need to focus on Jesus and the Holy Spirit guide the spiritual gifts.
Kelly Johnson says
Yes, definitely! God is the giver of ALL good gifts, including the ways He has uniquely equipped each of us to serve in His Kingdom. As I see more of Him, as I experience more of Him, God transforms my meager gifts into powerful tools for the Kingdom. Love that about our Abba Father!
Beth Williams says
Kelly,
Praise God for people like Shana. We need more of those people in the Christian world today. To often we seek the comfort zone/easy way out. We want revival/revolutions but aren’t willing to pray or do much about it. I think we all need to get into our “war room” (prayer chapel) and ask God to reveal where He would use us & guide us. Maybe we can start a revolution in our own towns!
Blessings 🙂