Just Say a Word—Two2Grow, June 18
Just Say a Word—Two2Grow, June 18
A Post by Emelie Stenhammar, MD
“The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8 NIV
In 2016, our family was preparing to move to England, where Mikael was going to do his PhD and I was going to work at a hospital. To be allowed to work there as a medical doctor, I was told that I might need to pass a very difficult English test.
I really did not want to take that test because I knew I would never achieve the score I needed, regardless of how much I practiced. Besides, I was working full-time and raising young children, so I had very little time to prepare. Since they said I “might” need the test, I directed all my prayers toward not having to take it.
One afternoon, I was sitting in our home office when I received an email. It said I had to take the test. Fear gripped me—almost panic. If I failed, which I was certain I would, we could not move to England. I was supposed to support our family, and without passing the test I would not be allowed to work. Mikael would not be able to pursue his PhD, and God’s plans would be stopped.
I knelt—not because I wanted to, but because I had no strength to sit, stand, or hardly even breathe. I prayed, “Jesus, You have to speak to me—say a word, anything!” I looked for a Bible but could not find one. Then I reached for a book from a pile on Mikael’s desk and opened it at random. The first words my eyes fell on were: “Not I, but God in me.”
As I read those words, the peace of God flooded me. All fear immediately left. I knew that if God had called us to do this, He would provide the strength and ability needed. I got up and, empowered by the Spirit, began to study. And yes, I passed the test, and we had a wonderful time in England.
One word from God can change everything. And even though God often uses the Bible – he can speak through anything and anyone.
Jesus, a word from you changes everything. Speak to me today, use whatever you want, and give me ears to hear.
“The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8 NIV
In 2016, our family was preparing to move to England, where Mikael was going to do his PhD and I was going to work at a hospital. To be allowed to work there as a medical doctor, I was told that I might need to pass a very difficult English test.
I really did not want to take that test because I knew I would never achieve the score I needed, regardless of how much I practiced. Besides, I was working full-time and raising young children, so I had very little time to prepare. Since they said I “might” need the test, I directed all my prayers toward not having to take it.
One afternoon, I was sitting in our home office when I received an email. It said I had to take the test. Fear gripped me—almost panic. If I failed, which I was certain I would, we could not move to England. I was supposed to support our family, and without passing the test I would not be allowed to work. Mikael would not be able to pursue his PhD, and God’s plans would be stopped.
I knelt—not because I wanted to, but because I had no strength to sit, stand, or hardly even breathe. I prayed, “Jesus, You have to speak to me—say a word, anything!” I looked for a Bible but could not find one. Then I reached for a book from a pile on Mikael’s desk and opened it at random. The first words my eyes fell on were: “Not I, but God in me.”
As I read those words, the peace of God flooded me. All fear immediately left. I knew that if God had called us to do this, He would provide the strength and ability needed. I got up and, empowered by the Spirit, began to study. And yes, I passed the test, and we had a wonderful time in England.
One word from God can change everything. And even though God often uses the Bible – he can speak through anything and anyone.
Jesus, a word from you changes everything. Speak to me today, use whatever you want, and give me ears to hear.