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Purity & Commitment
by Francis Frangipane
I
dreamt I was the pastor of a small orphanage
in Asia.
The orphanage owned an old pickup truck
that was in need of repair; I was lying
on my side examining the undercarriage when,
suddenly, soldiers pulled into our little
compound and jumped out of their vehicles.
They were looking for me, "the American
missionary." If they found me, it meant
I would be tortured and imprisoned. Since
they hadn't harmed any of the children or
other workers, I felt my best recourse was
to simply lie still, as I was somewhat hidden,
and pray they left quickly.
I
could see their boots as they walked toward
the other side of the truck where I was
lying. I had a glass of water in my hand.
However, when I tried to put it down onto
the pavement, it began to rattle, so I stopped
and held it in midair. Soon, my hand was
trembling because of the awkward way I was
lying and also because of the nearness of
the troops. Suddenly, I felt two hands firmly
touch the sides of my middle back. The hands
calmed and strengthened me. They were the
hands of a friend of mine, a recent convert
to Christ, who was one of the workers at
the orphanage. As was the custom in this
Asian culture, this young believer had taken
a spiritual name that represented one's
new nature in Christ; that name was "Purity
and Commitment."
The
soldiers left and peace returned to the
mission. Yet, the touch of the hands that
had steadied me, also roused me from my
sleep. And as I stirred, I awakened to the
most exquisite fragrance. It was unlike
any fragrance I've ever known. Its sweetness
not only filled the room, but it washed
the air like the cleansing after a thunderstorm.
I honestly have never known any fragrance
more beautiful or captivating.
As
I waited before the Lord, the Holy Spirit
warned that difficult tests were coming.
In some lands there will be martial law
and increased government crackdowns on Christians;
in other places, temptations of the flesh
would increase. These days will be difficult
for many Christians. He said we will be
tempted, but if we embrace "purity and commitment"
as our friend, we would find new strength
steadying us in our time of need.
Finally,
as the fragrance continued in the room,
I understood that this was what the Lord
inhaled when His children stayed committed
to Him during battle. I realized that, when
we purpose to stay pure in spite of temptation,
we literally become "a fragrance of Christ
to God . . ." (2 Cor. 2:15).
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 Francis
serves as senior minister of River of Life
Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
He has traveled throughout the world, ministering
to thousands of pastors in hundreds of cities.
Francis'
heartfelt prayer is to see the Lord fulfill
His call to His church, and that He will
continue to give grace until, in every city,
Christlike pastors and intercessors are
standing before God for their communities.
http://www.frangipane.org
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