As I wrap up another season of Soul Desire, I reflect on what a unique group of seniors we had this year.I hate to see them go, for a number of reasons, one of which is their powerful testimonies. For 18 year-olds, they have certainly been through an adult-sized share of hardship.

In concert after concert, I have listened to one share about the loss of a parent, another about birth defects and prosthetic limbs, and yet another about her battle with a brain tumor. I've seen the looks on people's faces, listened to the post-concert comments, and read the emails of those who were deeply moved by the words of these young disciples.

Just after our first concert (of two) in Downtown Denver, as we  were breaking for lunch, I noticed out of my peripheral vision a woman chatting up Soul Desire member Micaela Tucker, who looked a bit trapped and helpless. I could tell immediately that this person, while well meaning I'm sure, was perhaps not playing with a full deck, if you know what I mean.The protective instinct in me surfaced, and I moved in for the rescue.

As I approached, I was taken aback to hear the woman urging Micaela to pray that God would heal her. Micaela hesitated, then asked, "Do you...do you mean, pray that He would give me...my legs back?" The woman said, "Yes!" and waxed on about having enough faith and persisting in prayer. Then I heard Micaela say quietly and still a little bewildered: "I don't think He's going to do that."

Instantly my mind went to a quote I heard years ago by Joni Eareckson Tada, quadriplegic author, speaker, and radio host. An interviewer had asked her why God hadn't healed her, why He had left her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She answered that if God had granted her a miraculous physical healing at age 17 she would not have the ministry she has now.

And that really is the crux, isn't it? That is why He doesn't always choose to heal our infirmities.Our suffering is allowed by God to make us more sensitive and compassionate ministers, listeners, friends. As another group member, Becca Bush, said, if God had prevented her tumor she would not have the platform that she now has to share about His faithfulness and companionship in our dark times.

Isn't it funny then that when difficulties arise, we immediately cry out to God for healing and deliverance? He obviously sees a bigger picture, has a higher priority in mind. He brings good out of our bad by using our testimony to comfort and encourage and yes, bring healing (not physical) to people who are going through similar circumstances. 

1 Corinthians 1:4 reads, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."

Notice the word "healing" is nowhere to be found. But the word "comfort" is used repeatedly.

No one wants to suffer. It's human nature to cry out for deliverance from our pain. But I believe God has given these ladies His perspective, and I was so proud of the way Micaela handled that interaction. We all need to pray for His perspective on our pain - that while He may not take it away, He is there in the middle of it. And the comfort He gives should not be hoarded, but shared.   

Kevin