Rest in Jesus on Unknown Paths

Written by Lisa Hagen (Minnesota, USA)

Lisa Hagen is a home-schooling mom to 7 amazing children, whom she and her husband hope to raise for God’s kingdom. She also coaches track and cross-country for local high schools. Additionally, Lisa is also a coach for the wheelchair division in track as 2 of her sons have muscular atrophy.

March 14, 2023

Lately, I have been enjoying some extra time of rest while recovering from surgery that removed a large fibroid tumour from my abdomen.
A doctor ordered 4 to 6 weeks of no running, depending on my pain.
I look back at the last few months from the diagnoses, the surgery and the recovery and I see God’s hand through it all. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

It was a shock when they found the growth in November, and it took quite a process to work through the Mayo Health System to figure out what to do and when surgery could take place.
I ran daily through this, praying, praising Jesus, and listening to faith-building sermons and teachings. 

Knowing one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is healing, having seen healing, and knowing that Jesus can do anything, I texted those friends that I know believe in Jesus and what scripture says and those who are filled with the Holy Spirit to pray boldly for the tumour to be removed by His hand.
The church I attend was praying over me for complete healing, a church in South Dakota boldly prayed for complete healing (and felt the presence of Jesus there at their prayer meeting), and some of the Kingdom Runners were praying for complete healing as well!
I also prayed boldly for complete healing

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:17-‬18 (ESV) ‬‬

“while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Acts 4:30 (ESV) 

He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.” ‬‬

Acts 14:9-‬10 (ESV)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16 (ESV) 

I was excited to go to the Mayo Clinic as I know that the Lord was sending my husband and me there to do Kingdom work!
While in the waiting room, I was praying about who to approach to pray over and the Holy Spirit pointed out a lady in the front, she was from Spain and her daughter was with her.
They both wept as I prayed for healing and that they would be filled with Jesus’s peace and presence. 

It is such a joy to share Jesus with others!
Never let an opportunity pass by when the Holy Spirit leads you to a place and says, “go here, pray over that person.”
You never know how obeying can change a life and bring another into the Kingdom of God.
During my MRI, I was giggling, sure that the tumour was gone.
The results showed it is still there, with 3-6 more small ones in my uterus.
Now I was a bit shocked and briefly disappointed. 

I spent a lot of time in prayer that night.
Then I was filled with peace when Jesus brought these scriptures to mind:

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-‬9 (ESV) 

I knew I could trust in Jesus and rest in Him.
I figured He had work for me to do in the surgery centre to bless and bring Jesus’s love to others there too!
Don’t waste an opportunity!
During surgery, the large tumour was there, but all of the smaller ones were GONE!
Jesus is the great physician, and He can do all things!
We need to follow and act on what He says in faith!
While we were there, it was such a joyful time, sharing and encouraging many people who we met.
No matter where Jesus brings you, always pray and be intentional about asking Him to guide you to those who need Him and listen. 

The Holy Spirit will point out people and give you the knowledge and words over what to do.
Whether it is a blessing to be written and left for the lady who is cleaning, praying healing over someone, or just an encouraging word to another, be a faithful servant of Jesus and obey.
It will bless them, bless you, and maybe even bring another to Jesus.
My recovery has gone very well, I have spent much time on deep prayer walks, listening to sermons, teachings, and reading scripture and books on walking with Jesus, walking in the Spirit! 

I think of Mary and Martha.
We often feel like we always have to work hard.
Work hard in every free moment at home, or work extra hours at a business and then continue at home. ‬‬
But, on our walk with Jesus, we need to spend time with Him, listening, learning, and growing in faith.
This recovery time has given me the blessing of more time with Jesus. 

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-‬42 (ESV)

Things of this world are temporary, they will all go away, but our Jesus is eternal.
We need to give Him our all, take up our crosses, and follow Him wherever He leads us.
And wherever that is, point others to Him.
We will all have illnesses or injuries in these human bodies, don’t wait for those times to draw closer to Him and spend more time with Jesus.
The time is today, the call for you to draw closer to Jesus is today.
There is nothing in this world like being filled and surrounded by the presence of Jesus, it is all joy and peace.‬‬

Prayer & Reflection

  1. Are you currently threading on unknown paths?
    How can you deal with it through the lens of Jesus?
  2. Take time to read the story of Mary and Martha again.
    Which do you identify yourself with the most?
    Allow Holy Spirit to speak to you as you rest in His presence.

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