Proverbs 27:7 “A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.” I was surprised to read this morning in The Essential Guide to Healing that despite growing up in a family of pastors, Bill Johnson had no intention of ever going into ministry himself. He didn’t have any of the gifts, and he certainly didn’t have any of the interest. His parents thought Bill’s brother might be a pastor, but their goal for Bill was that he “would make it into heaven.” But when his family moved to Redding California, Bill Johnson started to hear various speakers popping through town. One of them particularly resonated and his message was simple: Be absolutely abandoned to Christ. “One Saturday night, alone, I finally said yes to God-the absolute yes. For me, everything changed that night.” Anyone who follows Jesus has said yes to God, but many who have said the sinners prayer aren’t absolutely abandoned to Christ. Yet that is what Jesus calls us to when he says we are to love him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. A total and singular desperation for God is what is required, and we can see that when we say the absolute yes, God begins to use us in absolutely astounding ways. Despite lacking gifts and motivation, God used Bill Johnson to inspire revival in millions of people around the world. He’s a man not without controversy similar to most men and women in the midst of spiritual revival (prophets of scripture included). But one thing is undeniable, he is absolutely famished for a move of God. He says it this way. “Many people miss out on a move of God because they are not hungry enough. Only the desperate think that an imperfect, incomplete move of God is wonderful. Starving people think a crust of bread is a meal. Most seem to want a move of God without problems or messes. Moves of God just do not come that way.” Lord, thank you for being a loving Father. Please stir up a hunger for you in me and in those around me. You are perfect, but sometimes when you move it might be imperfect because you’re dealing with imperfect people. I pray that I can look past the flaws, forgive my transgressors and cast my eyes upon you alone. All I need is you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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