Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

~Luke 18:27 NIV

It was a humility explosion for William Smith and me. 

THE EXPLOSION

By profession, William was a police officer. He also worked as a security officer for a private firm.

During the second Persian Gulf War, the security firm mobilized him to Iraq. This went well until December 5, 2005, when he was caught up in a landmine explosion. Consequentially, he lost both of his feet.

His company sent him stateside with a disability that disqualified him from continuing as a police officer. This devastated William. His plans for his life had collapsed, leaving him with an uncertain future.

BATTLE OF OBEDIENCE; THE HUMILITY EXPLOSION

Be of one mind, having compassion for one another.

~1 Peter 3:8 NKJV

As soon as I heard about William’s injuries, I was overwhelmed with compassion. Although I had never met him, I sensed God urging me to go to the altar and intercede for him. I also felt that the Lord was telling me to go forward barefoot.

My own feet’s appearance appalled me, and I worried about how they would look to others. I attempted to talk God into my plan instead of His. Shoes would be fine, I reasoned. However, I finally surrendered to God’s will and proceeded to the altar with my ugly bare feet, exposed for everyone to see. God quickly worked a humility explosion within my spirit.

I asked my pastor to anoint my feet. That’s when the battle began as I questioned whether these were my thoughts or God’s instructions. I was so overwhelmed by compassion for William, I pushed through these thoughts and prayed anyway. William needed feet, so I needed to pray obediently, even if it looked strange to others.

A CALL TO HUMILITY

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

~Proverbs 22:4 ESV

After my pastor anointed my feet, I felt the Holy Spirit’s power so strongly that I fell to my knees. After I prayed for William for a long time, I finally felt released to return to my seat.

God’s perfect peace overwhelmed me. I knew God had answered my prayer. William was going to be all right. I could sense it. I knew blessings were on the way.

God works through the humble prayers we offer, and He blesses others like William Smith. When we present ourselves before God, humility is required. Pride can get in the way. I feel this is the reason God asked me to pray with bare feet. I praise Him for the blessing that followed and the lessons I learned about obedience and humility.

THE BLESSING

William Smith received a new pair of artificial feet, which allowed him to walk again. He could even run with them. He also got a second chance to be a police officer. If he could pass the Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test, they would reinstate him. The fitness test included a two-hundred-yard run, which he would need to complete in less than seven minutes and twenty seconds.

When William attempted to pass the run requirement, he fell short by over a minute. He could have quit, but he continued, pressing toward his goal. He was determined, and I do say, humble. On a subsequent attempt, he passed the test with twenty-four seconds to spare.

On that day, as William Smith was reinstated as a police officer, I rejoiced for him and thanked God for the lessons He had taught me about obedience, humility, and blessing others.

How has God answered the prayers you have humbly offered?

Father God, thank You for answering my prayers for others when I offer them in obedience and humility. Keep me in fellowship with You, as I come daily to You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Humility Explosion: Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved