Input/Output
Outward-Flowing
I cannot keep it inside
For much of my adult life I have taught Bible studies, led women’s ministry teams, planned retreats, etc. But there wasn’t much fruit, because so much was done in my flesh.
The difference now is all about surrender and being filled with the Spirit. My journey started in 2008 after reading Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender. When God called me to a position of leadership with EFCA women’s ministries, I quickly realized it was way too big for me; I am desperately dependent upon, surrendered to, God to fulfill this role.
Now, I’m also learning to listen to God rather than just talk at Him. Many mornings I head into my study and can’t wait to see what God has for me that day, whereas previously, my quiet times were more about duty than delight. Now I’m practicing rhythms of personal retreats, silence and solitude. I have something to share with the women I’m investing in, because it flows from rivers of living water within me.
I believe that fear is the No. 1 roadblock to others experiencing this practice of surrender-and-listening. I had a long conversation with a woman who believes this leads to dangerous New Age practices. Others believe that we only hear God’s voice through the Word.
True, when we surrender to the Spirit, we don’t know where He will lead us. After all, He is a God of mystery. But I know I can trust Him. He can and does speak to me, so I must learn to be quiet and listen. And if it lines up with Scripture and is practiced in community with other believers, then I can walk in joy and fruitfulness.
I’ve also found myself sharing my faith in Jesus like never before. After all, if I walk in the Spirit, then He is going to lead me to share Jesus. It’s a natural outflow.
Mind you, before this, I had only ever led my youngest son to Christ and planted some seeds through the years. It was not part of my daily life. A book I read said the No. 1 rule of evangelism is that the more equipped you are, the more opportunities you’ll have. As I developed evangelism training for women in my district, I got more equipped too.
I also began incorporating “pray and watch,” the practice written about by EFCA leaders Neil and Judy Brower in their book Pray and Watch1. I made a list of those in my sphere of influence who didn’t know Jesus and began praying, Holy Spirit, draw ____ to yourself and make them into a kingdom laborer.
As I prayed, I found myself sharing Jesus in a natural, doable way and was amazed by the opportunities that opened up before me. What fun it is to walk in the Spirit. 
1Pray and Watch is available from NextStep Resources.
Lea Ann Brooken’s passion is to mobilize women in her district for ministry, in her role with EFCA RESOUND. Her passion for disciplemaking and the Great Commission are reflected in the new “Disciplemaking Pathway” training from RESOUND.
Outward-Flowing
For much of my adult life I have taught Bible studies, led women’s ministry teams, planned retreats, etc. But there wasn’t much fruit, because so much was done in my flesh.
The difference now is all about surrender and being filled with the Spirit. My journey started in 2008 after reading Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender. When God called me to a position of leadership with EFCA women’s ministries, I quickly realized it was way too big for me; I am desperately dependent upon, surrendered to, God to fulfill this role.
Now, I’m also learning to listen to God rather than just talk at Him. Many mornings I head into my study and can’t wait to see what God has for me that day, whereas previously, my quiet times were more about duty than delight. Now I’m practicing rhythms of personal retreats, silence and solitude. I have something to share with the women I’m investing in, because it flows from rivers of living water within me.
I believe that fear is the No. 1 roadblock to others experiencing this practice of surrender-and-listening. I had a long conversation with a woman who believes this leads to dangerous New Age practices. Others believe that we only hear God’s voice through the Word.
True, when we surrender to the Spirit, we don’t know where He will lead us. After all, He is a God of mystery. But I know I can trust Him. He can and does speak to me, so I must learn to be quiet and listen. And if it lines up with Scripture and is practiced in community with other believers, then I can walk in joy and fruitfulness.
I’ve also found myself sharing my faith in Jesus like never before. After all, if I walk in the Spirit, then He is going to lead me to share Jesus. It’s a natural outflow.
Mind you, before this, I had only ever led my youngest son to Christ and planted some seeds through the years. It was not part of my daily life. A book I read said the No. 1 rule of evangelism is that the more equipped you are, the more opportunities you’ll have. As I developed evangelism training for women in my district, I got more equipped too.
I also began incorporating “pray and watch,” the practice written about by EFCA leaders Neil and Judy Brower in their book Pray and Watch1. I made a list of those in my sphere of influence who didn’t know Jesus and began praying, Holy Spirit, draw ____ to yourself and make them into a kingdom laborer.
As I prayed, I found myself sharing Jesus in a natural, doable way and was amazed by the opportunities that opened up before me. What fun it is to walk in the Spirit.
Lea Ann Brooken’s passion is to mobilize women in her district for ministry, in her role with EFCA RESOUND. Her passion for disciplemaking and the Great Commission are reflected in the new “Disciplemaking Pathway” training from RESOUND.