A Dream Fulfilled

There are moments in our lives which we never forget, some are stand alone iconic moments of power, wonder or beauty. Others however are prosaic and seemingly ordinary, like the moment I am thinking back to now. 20 years ago I was taking a shower in the afternoon in my University residence and as I stood with the hot water gradually running out I sensed the Lord tell me ” Nigel one day you will preach the gospel in France”. There were no angels, no music and the only goose bumps I had were from the water growing cooler but none the less I left the shower with a clear conviction that one day I would be called to preach the gospel in France. Over the years I would sometimes wonder if I had missed it, there have been many times that I have been tempted to discard that word, as I waited it just seemed too painful to keep carrying this dream and never seeing it fulfilled. That is the thing about the word of the Lord when you receive the word you must test it, and then it must test you! I never forgot that word, as a result I keep trying to polish my spoken French, I used it at every opportunity. French tourists were often surprised to be greeted by this enthusiastic African, eager to use their language and I prayed and prayed and waited.

This afternoon I ate lunch with the director of all the healing rooms in France and his wife (Duck, frites, salad and tasty burgundy followed by French café) and joy bubbled up. I am in France, I share tonight with about 40 young people on the supernatural life. I know that God has prepared me for this moment and this moment for me. His loving kindness and favour moves me, he loves us so radically, and so wisely! This is France’s hour, and it is also my time in France. Thank you God, my beautiful loving God. All I can say is “MERCI, MERCI, MERCI!

Advertisement