On Tuesday morning, June 8, Rev. Terry Long was invited to speak to the staff of the BMBA. Rev. Long serves as Associational Mission Strategist of the Choctaw Baptist Association and an associate in the Evangelism Department of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. He serves as the Spiritual Renewal and Revival Strategist in the Evangelism Department.
Terry struggled with what he thought God was calling him to do. The calling consisted of 100 Days at the Cross. It was a one man’s journey to understanding the power of the cross of Christ. He was not sure that he had heard God correctly. It was not an audible voice. It was more of a knowing in his spirit. Could God actually be telling him to go to the busiest intersection he could find and put up a cross, then go there for 100 days and pray? It was a stunning and frightening experience. He faced doubt about God’s calling for this holy journey. God impressed upon his heart two words: Trust Me! God continued to impress upon his heart these words: “Step out in faith, step out of the box, and you will see Me work.”
Once Terry knew it was God’s will there was no more delay. God said it, that settled it, and Terry obeyed. There was no more doubt. Terry no longer argued with God. What mattered to Terry was God’s purpose and his obedience. Terry further believed that God would take care of everything. He gave up his salary for 100 days, gave up his bi-vocational work, and trusted that God would take care of him. That is what God did exactly.
What could happen across the Birmingham metro area and Jefferson County? Could Revival happen again in the local churches? Could Spiritual Awakening occur across Jefferson County? Could there be a number of locations across Jefferson County where crosses be placed in strategic places? Could there be volunteers that would commit themselves to manning the crosses for 100 days? Could there be prayer boxes on the crosses for prayer petitions to be placed by individuals? Could there be individuals present that could lead others seeking to know Christ of how to become a Christian? Could God be glorified in this endeavor? The answer to all the above is YES!!!
For some, this would seem like an impossible risk. Also, for some, it seems impossible that God could do the following:
Create the world in 6 days, but He did.
Divide the Red Sea.
Demolish the walls of Jericho.
Cause an ax-head to swim.
Have a fish swallow a rebellious missionary.
Have His Son born of a virgin.
Change water to wine.
Cleanse a leper.
Clothe the mentally disturbed and put him in a right mind.
Feed the 5,000.
Raise Lazarus from the dead.
The decision was truly a challenge for Terry. He tossed and turned night after night. He tried to dismiss it. He tried to forget it. But God’s instructions would not go away. Finally, Terry was obedient to God. It not only changed his life, but the lives of many others.
May we as the BMBA intercede and ask God to do it again. May it be a time that God is glorified, people’s needs are met, and many people’s lives are changed.