The evening air was crisp as members of the First Light Community Church gathered in the fellowship hall. A warm glow from the hanging lights bathed the room, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The discussion for the evening was led by Madelyn, a long-time church member known for her wisdom and ability to weave faith into everyday life.
“Before we begin, let’s take a moment to appreciate where we are,” Madelyn said with a smile. “Lawrence is a special place. It’s home to the University of Kansas, full of artistic and cultural energy. We see it every day on Massachusetts Street—the shops, the galleries, the life that pulses through this town. It’s a place where the university and the community merge, creating something truly unique. And yet, even in a place as vibrant as Lawrence, we still need to be reminded of God’s presence and purpose.”
She paused, letting her words settle before continuing. “Tonight, we’re going to talk about healing, faith, and how God moves through us, even when we don’t expect it. And to start, I want to ask a question: How many of us have felt a shift in our spiritual journey lately? Maybe you’ve sensed that God is calling you to something greater? Or maybe you’ve felt lost, unsure of what’s next?”
A murmur spread through the room as hands slowly raised.
“Good,” Madelyn nodded. “You’re not alone. God has been stirring something deep within His people. There is a healing anointing upon us—one that is increasing, one that is rising. The Spirit of God is moving in ways we may not fully understand yet, but He is calling us to rise, to use our voices, to release His words. And when we do, healing will pour out—not just in our personal lives, but in this city, in this region, even in the nations.”
A hush fell over the room as Madelyn continued, her voice steady and passionate. “Look at the stories we know. Eric Liddell, the runner from Chariots of Fire, knew that God had a purpose for his talents. Even when faced with opposition, he remained steadfast in his faith. Joseph, in Egypt, was given wisdom by God and placed in a position of authority to save a nation. These stories aren’t just historical—they are reminders of what God does when His people are willing to follow Him.”
She turned to an elderly woman in the front row. “Margaret, you’ve shared before about your experience with healing prayer. Would you mind telling us about a time you saw God’s power at work?”
Margaret smiled, her eyes twinkling as she recalled the memory. “Well, years ago, I prayed over a young woman who was sick. She was weak, discouraged. But as we prayed, I felt something shift in the room. The presence of God was so strong, and within days, she was completely healed. It wasn’t about me—it was about God working through me, through prayer, through faith.”
“That’s exactly it!” Madelyn exclaimed. “When we are willing vessels, God moves through us. Sometimes, we doubt. We feel unworthy, unprepared. But God doesn’t call the perfect—He perfects the called.”
A younger man in the back raised his hand. “Madelyn, I’ve been struggling with feeling like I don’t hear from God as clearly as I used to. How do we navigate those moments when our faith feels… silent?”
Madelyn nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a great question. And you’re not alone in that. The Lord has shown me that many of us have been in an intense battle—a battle that tries to cloud our clarity, make us doubt our ability to hear Him. But let me remind you of this: Jesus Himself faced silence in the wilderness. Elijah, after his great victory, heard God not in the wind, not in the fire, but in a still, small voice. God has not stopped speaking. We just need to slow down, remove distractions, and lean in.”
She took a deep breath. “And sometimes, we need to act in faith before we feel the confirmation. Think of the Israelites standing before the Red Sea. The waters didn’t part until they stepped forward. Our obedience activates His miracles.”
The room was silent for a moment, everyone processing the words. Then, an older man, Pastor Jim, stood. “Madelyn, this discussion reminds me of something we read in Romans 8:11—’The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.’ If that same Spirit is in us, then we have access to the same power that raised Christ. Isn’t that incredible?”
“Yes!” Madelyn agreed. “That is exactly the truth we need to hold onto. When we feel weak, when we feel uncertain, we need to remind ourselves: the Spirit of God LIVES in us. And when we pray, when we worship, when we step out in faith, we are releasing His power into the world.”
She looked around the room, her eyes locking onto each person. “Church, we are in a time of great transition. We are seeing promotions into positions of influence, the rise of new voices in the church, a deeper hunger for God. We are seeing first fruits of a new move of God, and we have the opportunity to be part of it.”
A young woman near the front, Emma, spoke up. “So what do we do next? How do we step into this?”
Madelyn smiled. “We stay close to Him. We surrender our fears, our doubts. We speak life, not death. We pray for healing, we walk in faith, we remember that we are not called to comfort—we are called to transformation. And most of all, we trust that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted. People were no longer just listening—they were receiving. Something had been ignited within them, a renewed sense of purpose.
As the discussion came to a close, Pastor Jim led a final prayer. “Lord, we thank You for this time, for this town, for this community. You have placed us here for a reason. Let Your Spirit move through us, let Your healing flow, and let us be bold in our faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
The sound of “Amen” echoed through the hall as people stood, hugging one another, some wiping away tears. This was more than just a discussion—it was the beginning of something deeper, something powerful.
Madelyn smiled as she watched. God was moving in Lawrence, Kansas, and this was just the beginning.
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