Shaken not Stirred

James Bond in the 007 movies wanted his drinks shaken, not stirred. As I have read about a prayer meeting in Acts (4:31), I find that happening also to the people. God wants us shaken, not stirred. He wants us not just "touched" by the Spirit, but "shaken" by the Spirit, so that our commitments, our prayer times, our Bible study changes us rather than just stirring our emotions for the time and then we forget what we saw and heard. (Sounds like James speaking in James 1 about hearing versus doing).

In Nehemiah, where I am studying and preaching now, I notice that Nehemiah heard of a serious situation (chapter 1) and took it so seriously that he "wept and mourned and fasted and prayed." And apparently he did this for about 4 months before God moved him to act on the vision He gave him. In the meantime, the vision was formulating. Then Nehemiah took action and went to the king of Persia, a man who had earlier stopped the rebuilding of the wall that Nehemiah was requesting to go and rebuild. But God laid it on Nehemiah's heart, because of the serious concern he had for his people and their plight.

Boldness seems to come from genuine concern for need. Boldness seems to come from God's vision. Boldness seems to come from concern that leads to prayer.

So often we are stirred by situations, but not shaken as they were in Acts. Stirred will last for a while, but shaken will stick with us and cause us to change and live differently. I need more of the shaking, and I think God is beginning that for me. Shaken so that I am willing to take more action toward those who need God desperately.

The vision is forming--the concern is beginning--the prayer is in process. One day, the further action will come. Shaken, not just stirred.