I have been reading of the Welsh revivalist Evan Roberts—one of God’s Generals, born 1878. I’d like to share a bit of what he exhibited in his life towards his family.
For those who don’t know about the Welsh Revival, it was so immense that it swept the whole of Wales. Men repented from profane language. Prostitutes abandoned the job and began preaching Christ. Bars were closed as men went for prayer watches. The Holy Spirit was on a super move.
Sadly, a Jezebel called Mrs. Penn-Lewis came along into Evan’s life and drifted his heart away from God’s purpose for him. She pretended to be helping Evan, but he was using him to sort of rise up again since she’d experienced some sort of rejection by the entire country.
She brain washed Evan so much, but for what Evan did, it wasn’t her to blame. Concerned, his father came to visit him while he was secluded at Penn-Lewis’ property. He refused to give audience to his father. Somehow he cut off all his family. He in fact severed ties with his biological father.
This was the man who introduced him to prayer way back before his 13th. This was the man who instituted prayer in Evan’s life. And now, after Evan gaining global recognition and fame through the mighty hand of God on His life said, “I have been set apart for a highly spiritual task and thus been obliged to forget ties of blood.”
Whoa! He bluntly cut off family. Roberts Liardon says, “Never cut off your family even if you don’t see eye to eye.” And I am glad God taught me this in my personal christian life earlier.
At some point, when I was 18 or 19, I don’t fully recall, I started scornfully looking down at my mom. She was stressing the point of how catholics were more organized and humble while approaching the altar. She was more aware of the spirit of rejection present in my father’s bloodline…which I tried to clarify that when we are born again the old is gone, all things are new…
She’d say “That’s true…But!”
I’d grow a vein in the middle of my brow—indirectly looking down on her. UNTIL GOD STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS…
“Small boy!” Not saying that’s what He said, but I’m trying to use a tough love rebuke tone that you’d relate to today, “…that woman right there had the privilege to carry you in her womb. She spoke over you and taught you how to pray. She set you on the path you are today—Yeah you’re deep and all, but don’t you dare start raising your voice towards the woman who sowed the seed that would propel you to your purpose in life!”
OUCH.
It was sack cloth and ashes for me.
Yes, many ministers are way more anointed than their parents today. The Andrew Wommacks, Joseph Princes of today… Joel Osteen… Etc. Even these peoples’ parents are not famous as they are, many speak of the influence their parents played to have them where they are! It’s stupidity therefore to forget what our fathers or mothers did to have us where we are.
This is to those who know very well the key roles their parents played in their lives as those called by God. I remember mom pulling me and my siblings to pray every night before bed. Heck, we dosed off as she went deep in prayer. Now I enjoy hours of prayer twelve years later. My mom even led my father to Christ on his death bed at about 1am on 3rd April, 2009.
Let’s learn from Evan Roberts. Well enough, he returned home after Penn-Lewis died. He was forgiven and his family embraced him. May the Spirit open our eyes to such prejudices and prevent us pitfalls and unnecessary heartbreaks. I imagine how his mother felt when his father returned to tell her and his other siblings that their son had sundered and unfamilied them!
May He show us things those in our families have gone before us did. The prices they’ve paid for us to get to where we are. The seeds they planted… So that we honor them respectfully and respect them honorably.
•
“Don’t ever think you are too spiritual for your family,” Roberts rebukes.
I personally, feel it useless, for you to be spiritual enough for the rest of the world but not your family. 😇
Your little siblings look up to you secretly as well. I discovered it. My cousins often walk into my room to find worship music on loud and I lost in a trance like environment looking through the window. They are watching, seeking to imitate.
Today when I asked one of them about a wish they’d make if I was a genie, the twenty year old said, ‘To have a dope relationship with God…’
I know what to do…
•
But just to re-echo, don’t despise those that God sent to raise you to know Him in His way & love, even if you might supersede them in the understanding of Him.
Exodus 20:12 ” Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Biggie's Big Blogs 