Pt. 2: And so it begins.
I was on my way to donate more things to the thrift store when God spoke to me through a rain storm. (It was the same parking lot where I met the couple who took home half of my furniture, you can read that story here) It was hard parting with my possessions but I knew that God was inviting me to give Him everything. As scary as that was, I didn’t want to be like one of the disciples still left in the boat, clinging onto my comfort zone, even if in the form of old couch pillows and dusty candles.
“He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified & said, “It is a ghost!” They cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
-Matthew 25:29
I sat in my car for a while waiting for the rain to die down and once it finally did, the most beautiful rainbow appeared. All over the parking lot people were pulling out their phones attempting to capture its splendor. It was in that moment I noticed a camper van under the rainbow and Holy Spirit spoke to me, “I have a place for you.” Now mind you, this wasn’t a voice I heard with my physical ears. I’ve learned over time that God speaks in many ways and in this moment, it was more of a “knowing”. I simply knew in my heart that the Lord was promising me through that camper under the rainbow that He wasn’t going to leave me stranded out in the rain somewhere, that He had prepared a place for me. I already had my one-way ticket and had bought a tent-camping spot at the event where I was looking forward to connecting with some friends who were also coming from out of town. Beyond that I had no plan and knew no one in Kentucky. I won’t lie to you, at moments this whole Kentucky thing seemed like a stupid idea. I had enough money to afford a week in a hotel if I needed it, but that wasn’t an option if I was going to continue to pay my bills. I didn’t have a savings. Regardless, I knew God was on it and I needed to go. As simple as it was, I appreciated the rainbow sentiment a lot and repented for doubting His provision for me. I gathered up my donation items from my back seat and continued running my errands for the day. I honestly didn’t really think twice about the camper van or the rainbow until something strange began to happen. What followed in Kentucky after that blew my mind.
The next day some friends and I were on our way to a little mining town up in the mountains to watch the firework show. We decided to pull over and walk around at one of the outlook spots. The mountains were spread out like a tapestry in front of us, the colors washed out from the rain. The four of us stood in awe on the side of the highway admiring the view as cars zoomed past, completely unaware of the beauty they were missing out on. There’s nothing like the mountains after a rainstorm. We were walking back to the car when I saw a rainbow under a camper again. This time there were two of them!
As one who doesn’t believe in coincidences, I wondered what it was that God was speaking to me. Why was I seeing campers under rainbows? Did He have a camper trailer for me? After that weekend it seemed like I couldn’t go anywhere without driving next to a camper trailer or seeing a rainbow. They were everywhere. In Colorado, this is normal for the summertime but none the less, I was confident that God had an RV of some sort for me. I even asked my brother to keep a look out on Craigslist for any good deals. “I think I’m gonna live out of some sort of camper trailer for a while.” The next two weeks went by really fast. My last day of work was gut wrenching. My little nanny kid and I had been together four years and it was hard to say goodbye. By this point I had already moved out of my house and my hiking backpack was ready to go. I went straight from work to the airport. I was off!
I officially arrived in Nicholasville, Kentucky on a Saturday afternoon. There was a big circus tent setup, a stage, and people tent camping in various sections. The field seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. I felt the weight of the unknown as the mud squished under my shoes. I had left every comfort zone I knew for this. After watching the power of God encounter the man who took home half of my furniture, my faith for God to show up was stronger than it had ever been before. The event started and I quickly connected with some friends on the Saturate ministry team and began praying for people. It felt like a whirlwind. There was so much happening all at once. The worship band played, the gospel was preached, and the power of God was on display everywhere. People were getting baptized and coming out of the cattle troughs screaming, manifesting demons, then we would help them out of the water and do deliverance right there in the mud with them. Suicidal thoughts were leaving people’s minds as they found life in Christ for the first time. Anxiety was bowing to the Prince of Peace. Self-hatred was consumed by the love of God. People were collapsing under the power of God without anyone even touching them. Others were coming out of the water speaking in different languages they hadn’t had before they went in the water. That weekend it was estimated that 600+ people were water baptized.
Amidst it all, I couldn't help but feel so curious as to what the future held for me. Would I go back to Colorado after the event? Would I meet someone who would change my whole world? Where would I go after my friends packed up their tent and went back home? And what about the rainbows and the camper trailers in Colorado? Had I over spiritualized that?
Later that night, any children under the age of twelve were invited to come up to the stage to receive prayer. I was drawn to a family near the back of the stage and made my way over to pray for their children and in return they prayed for me. Then the mom asked me a surprising question for not knowing me at all, “Becca, where are you staying?” I explained to her that I had left everything and was now happily staying in a muddy tent on the field but wasn’t sure what was next.
“We have a property called Rainbow Ridge Ranch and God sends us people to stay in the camper on our property of 40 acres. The Lord says you have a free place with us when you need it.”
Christianity isn’t just about attending church meetings and trying to be a good person, it’s about having a real relationship with a real God who really speaks. The reality is that I could have missed His voice that day in the thrift store parking lot had I not been expecting God to speak to me. Many people believe in an emotionally abusive heavenly Father who gives His children the silent treatment, but that’s not what the Bible says. John 10:27 says that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. God is longing to speak to us and when He does, we need to be paying attention.
“For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”
-Matthew 13:15-16
When Jesus died for our sins on the cross, the veil between heaven and earth was torn! When we believe that Jesus truly is the son of God, who shed His blood for our sins, died for us and rose from the grave, we have full access to His Spirit here on earth. (Matthew 27:51) Have you asked God to speak to you today? Chances are, there won’t be an earthquake in your bedroom and a big booming voice telling you what to do with your life when you ask Him to speak to you. None the less, He will speak. Maybe it will be something as simple as seeing a rainbow and having a knowing in your heart that He is promising to take care of you. What is Holy Spirit speaking to you today?
To find out what happens next, click here.
