God’s Purpose Revealed

 

Why am I here? I wondered as nurses wheeled me into a COVID-19 ICU. For the same reason I am anywhere—to glorify God!

Impacted by the pandemic, I remembered God’s words to Moses when he was in the midst of a plague: “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16).

I’m not Moses, but I asked God to reveal His purpose in this COVID season of my life. My heart heard His answer: Look around you, Elaine. You are surrounded by hurting people. What can you do to help them?

Immobile, attached to an oxygen tube, I couldn’t do much, but I could pray, smile, express appreciation, and spread joy. God placed a desire in my heart to speak blessings of protection in the name of Jesus on each person who entered my room. No visitors were allowed, but while I was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), my world overflowed with doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, physical therapists, respiration therapists, food deliverers, and housekeepers.

As I listened to their stories and watched them serve, my mind saw the love and sacrifice of these precious people. I felt their pain, exhaustion, and the emotional toll of caring for people who suffer and die, the loneliness of missing their own families, and the fear of taking COVID-19 home to their loved ones. I heard their hearts’ cries and saw their tears as they danced daily with death. Healthcare workers give their lives so we can live, and they do so with love and grace.

Just like Jesus.

What was their response to my breathless prayers? Some paused in the hall outside my door to hear me speak words of affirmation and love. Many cried. Everyone thanked me. A few held my hands and prayed with me and for me. For a short time in a long day, we left COVID-land behind as Jesus was proclaimed and His power shown.

Whether our journeys take us to a COVID-19 ICU, a cancer center, a baseball game, or a grocery store, let us heed God’s words to Moses and seek God’s purpose, proclaim His name, and show His power.

I’m home now recovering from damaged lungs. The other day I received a note from one of my nurses thanking me for my prayers. What joy to serve those who served me. God blessed us all with His Presence in a COVID ICU.

Elaine Miller

Elaine W. Miller is an international author and speaker who has been encouraging audiences for over 35 years. She and her husband Dan (retired Alliance Pastor and Northeastern District Superintendent) served as Pastoral Care Couple to International Workers in the Balkans. In 2020 they celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Elaine is the author of four books including, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can and Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. You can learn more about Elaine on her website, www.SplashesofSerenity.com.

11 Responses to “God’s Purpose Revealed”

  1. Thank you Elaine. 🙂
    God has a purpose.

    Often I wonder too – why ‘am I alive…
    To see, to share, tell God’s stories.
    And to share God’s abundant love.
    God bless you & miss you …
    But with you in spirit.

  2. Dear Elaine…your words encouraged and touched my heart! God’s joy splashed on me as I read this. It reminded me that God’s purposes of glorifying and proclaiming the most powerful name of Jesus in my sphere of influence cannot be stopped by any kind of adversity. Thank you!
    I continue to pray for a complete recovery.

    Fully trusting Him with you,
    Barbara Hibschman

    • Thank you, sweet Barbara. Your words were a great encouragement to me to keep glorifying God in all circumstances. Thank you. Stay well and be well. My love and prayers, Elaine

  3. Elaine, You continue to be a blessing to all you come into contact with. It is obvious
    Jesus lives within you. You are an ambassador for Christ and take that responsibility
    seriously. Thank You for sharing your life altering experience with us. It gives hope
    and direction to those who still face Covid 19. I will be praying for a complete
    healing.

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