His Anointing Oil

On Sunday, two friends and I were asked to sing a special song....

It's been a long time coming. We sang it in November at a Ladies' Retreat and then were promptly asked to sing it "some time" in a church service. Then a date was finally set for a couple months ago... and then canceled the night before due to sickness.

So honestly, by the time this last date was set I was just wanting to get it over with. Not the best attitude, I realize. But very true all the same.

Recently, I had been praying for the Lord to use and anoint the song. But my prayer focus lied more in the realm of "Please, by your sovereign mercy, let my voice hold out!!" (because it was bordering outside of my natural vocal range).

Yes, that prayer is all together inspiring, eh? Um, yeah...not quite. More like all together self-focused.

We had a disastrous practice the Thursday before. There was only one soundman present and we just couldn't get all the sound details to work. The music was too quiet; we couldn't hear it. Then, the music was so loud we literally couldn't hear ourselves sing. I left the church feeling nervous, to say the least.

And my prayers almost immediately were exchanged for wishful thinking..."Oh for Pete's sake, I just wish we were already done with it!"

Ever feel that way? Where you are standing in a place where you didn't ask to be, but where God has called you to be? You feel less than adequate...and more than apprehensive. All you want is for it to be over. But...all God wants is for you to step into it and trust.

....
I say all this to preface the fact that what God did, on a personal level for me, was not because of my devout prayer covering over this song. Nor because of my confidence level in my ability to sing...or even in God's ability to strengthen my voice. It had nothing to do with my anything.

It was all about the grace and creativity and BIGNESS of God. And His intimate desire to let me know that He was watching. His anointing was real. His presence very close.
....

Before the song, I sat with Selah in my lap, praying for an Awe of Who He Is to be released in the congregation as we sang. Up until that point in the service, my palms kept feeling sweaty off and on. Assuming it to be from nervousness, I'd just wipe them off on my pants. Again, as I was praying, they started to feel really sweaty. But before I could wipe them off, I clearly heard the Lord say,

"Don't wipe off your hands. LOOK at them!"

And I did. My palms were covered with gold dust. And my fingertips were secreting oil.

Selah looked down and said, "Mommy, what's on your hands?!" as she wiped away the oil from my pinkie and looked at it. As both Jet and I saw, almost immediately the oil replaced itself...

Now some of you may be doubtful of my experience. Or of its validity when lined up with Scripture. But as I've wavered back and forth on the focus on this blog....to explain it or to just share it... I decided if you doubt, that is your choice. Between you and the Lord. But as for me, I just want to share of the very real Faithfulness of God in my life.

For I was nervous. And I just wanted the Lord to show me, in some way, that He was hearing my heart. anointing me for the task. standing near by to see me through to the end. And so he did.

He covered me with his glory. He anointed me with his oil.

"Though preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies (fear, in this case);THOU anointed my head (hands, in the case)with oil, my cup overflows." Psalms 23:5

Not because I am great or even always have the right heart when serving. But because HE is and does. THIS is the God that we serve! Compassionate. Personal. Full of Creativity and Resources beyond what we expect or imagine.

And ever ready to show that He is near. Equipping and anointing us for the task He has called us to.

Weeks from now, people may not even remember that we sang. But as for me... (and Selah and Jet!)I will ALWAYS remember how the Lord met me in a tangible way as I stepped out to serve Him.