As we embark upon a brand new year, the Lord has encouraged me to encourage you. And perhaps challenge you as well.

Many have been waiting promises for a long time.

As I drove home from visiting my daughter this week, I needed to stop for fuel. I noticed a man with a sign as I came down the ramp, “Hungry. I’m homeless.”

This stuck in my mind as I refueled. He didn’t ask for money…only food.

I was very uncertain I could get back to the man because of where he stood. But, nonetheless, I was quickly led to a nearby Chick-Fil-A and ordered two meals.

I began to pray and ask the Lord to help me get where I needed to be to give the food to the man.

As I passed him, he was on the opposite side of the road and there was no direct way to drive by him again.

Honestly, a fleeting thought entered my mind just to drive on home.

But it was followed by another that said something like this, “It will not always be easy to obey me…”

I found that little excuse trying desperately to rise in me but I whipped the car around to a stop sign across the intersection from the man.

I rolled down my window and yelled as loud as I could, “Mr!” He heard me quickly and turned. I held up the food and he dashed across the busy road.

I looked in my rear-view mirror to see a long line of cars coming. I didn’t move. But a whisper rose quickly to tell me, “You better just leave or these drivers will get angry.”

I rejected the thought of pleasing those behind me so that I might please the ONE before me.

As cars began to honk for me to move- the man arrived at my window and thanked me for the food.

I said, “It was Jesus-He loves you.”

He responded, “I know He does, I’m a believer.”

This coming year will be a year of wonder but only for those who decide to follow wholeheartedly. Those who will not mind becoming an outcast for Christ. Those who are willing to suffer the loud honking letting you know they have better things to get to. Those demanding their own way so God never gets His way.

The road will be narrow for the bride making herself ready for the coming of the King.

A word of advice. If you are unable to stick it out when it’s hard…and only engage when it’s seemingly easy. You will miss these wonders coming.

If your loyalty is only to a church rather than to The Christ-you, too, will miss the wonders.

You best make peace with being labeled crazy for following Jesus into some dark paths so He can become a Light to that world. Your persecution will likely come from within the religious sect…it will be deeply painful to your heart. But in that instant you will be closer to Christ and understanding His very heart than ever before.

Child-like Faith is critical to walk in wonders. Learn to strike an arrow on the ground, slap a mantle on the waters, march around buildings 7 times, and command the sun to stand still.

Prepare to walk to a Red Sea, cast Legion out of a man, and be caught up by visions and dreams.

Learn to love worship on your face, sing loud for an audience of ONE, and give away your lives.

Hold all you own loosely because He has merely loaned it to you. He has sovereign right to use it as He sees fit.

Ready yourself to be moved with compassion for the hurting and hungry. Clothes the poor and help the needy. Fight for the oppressed and loose the captives.

When He sees your heart is bent towards His….only then will You see the wonders coming in 2020.