But, Lord, I'm A Southern Baptist

What Now?

I woke up the next morning feeling as light as a feather. My attitude had changed from dryness to apathy�apathy for the things of the world! I no longer had a desire for anything that pertained to the world�television, radio, books, etc. All I cared about now was being in God�s presence and in His Word. I just wanted God!

I was absolutely giddy as I got ready for the day. I didn�t have a care in the world. The only thought going through my mind was, "THANK GOD, I�M FREE!"

That afternoon, I went to the grocery store to pick up some things for Melissa. I floated through the aisles, with a song in my heart and a smile on my face.

In the middle of the cracker aisle, God began to speak. "PRAISE ME," He said. By now, I knew God�s voice very well. "SURE," I replied. So I began to worship the Lord as I walked through the aisles of that grocery store. As I did so, I felt joy begin to rise within my spirit. The higher the joy rose, the more intense my worship became. I didn�t stop and raise my hands or anything, it was just verbal praise, probably inaudible to other shoppers.

As I continued to voice my praise, it felt so deficient. "HOW INADEQUATE I AM TO PRAISE THE INFINITE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. LORD, I WANT TO PRAISE YOU WITH MY WHOLE BEING!" I was literally gritting my teeth with desire to praise Him. Then, it was as if a cork popped out deep inside of me. It felt like pressure was being released. As this pressure rose, my praise took on an intensity that I�d never known. Suddenly, without realizing what was happening, I started speaking in tongues.

It began with a few words, then a few sentences. I wasn�t sure what had happened. So I stopped and said, "LORD, WHAT WAS THAT?" God responded, "BILL, I AM MANIFESTING MY SPIRIT IN YOU." As one who had based everything on intellectualism, the word "manifestation" was a term that I could understand. I had studied 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 and knew what Paul has said about "gifts" being the manifestation of the presence of God. God was reassuring me that this was, indeed, His presence.

"LORD, I DON�T NEED THIS TO WORSHIP YOU. I�LL LOVE YOU, I�LL PRAISE YOU, I�LL WORSHIP YOU. I DON�T NEED THESE MANIFESTATIONS! ALL I WANT IS YOU."

As I spoke this in my heart, I was OVERWHELMED with joy, and again I began to speak in a heavenly language. My love for God deepened, and I was suddenly aware that my whole reason for living was NOT to seek manifestations, but to cultivate an intimate relationship with God. I knew, however, that out of this relationship the manifestations would come. This was just the beginning.

As I went to the cashier I was still speaking in tongues. The praise language was flowing. I didn�t want to stop. It felt too good. Frankly, I was afraid if I stopped, I wouldn�t be able to start again. It�s like when you are soaking in a warm bath and don�t want to get out and step on a cold tile floor.

I hurriedly paid the bill, nodded to the cashier, grabbed my bags and walked out the door. When I hit the parking lot, I let it fly! I began to praise even louder. In the car, on the way home, it was still flowing.

It felt good. It felt right. To my mind it was a little strange, but I KNEW that this was it!