Are you willing to pay the price? – Shannan Howlett

Are you willing to pay the price?

June 5, 2021 5:43 AM
Shannan Howlett

June 5, 2021

Lately, I have felt the need to purge things from my life. I wanted to downsize some of my stuff. I have spent the last couple of weeks culling through my belongings and asking the question, “Do I really need this? Use this? Want this anymore?” I created piles and piles of “stuff” that fit that criteria as I meticulously went through every room, closet, storage place and barn. The purging was also spiritual and it felt good. Now, I was ready to have a garage sale!

Yesterday, as I was loading things up for the garage sale I noticed and kept being drawn to a decorative bird house on a stand that I don’t use anymore and had no intention of getting rid of. As I kept walking past it I heard the Lord say to include it in the “stuff” that needed to go. I told the Lord, “You know I don’t want to get rid of this just yet.” He told me He wanted to give it to someone and then proceeded to give me very particular instructions about the person He wanted to give it to. He told me the person He wanted to give it to would immediately walk up to it and admire it. This birdhouse would be her main focus. She would then ask the price. He told me to charge $20 which made it very costly for a garage sale nick knack and she must not try to barter but be willing to pay full price. When this person met all His criteria then I was to give it to her and pray over her.

I waited and waited for this person to show up. Many admired the bird house on the stand. Some asked the price but when I told them, they were unwilling to pay what I was asking. Finally, a woman appeared and walked straight to the bird house. She asked the price and didn’t flinch. She began digging in her purse and pulled out a wad of money. She seemed a little distressed as she counted and said I hope I have enough. At this point I stepped over to her and told her about my conversation with God and gave her the bird house. I then prayed over her as the Lord had directed. She was very blessed.

What does this have to do with our walk with God? How does this scenario depict our relationship with God? What does any of this have to do with walking out our end-times ministry? It has everything to do with it!

As I was reflecting on what happened yesterday the Lord began to speak to me. He told me what He is asking from His bride seems very costly. At times it may seem like it is not worth it. Often, we must dig deep and be willing to pay everything we have for the pearl of great price.

For the last ten years I have been contending for a healing. When I first got sick the Lord instructed me not to go to the doctor. He told me He was going to make me a son and I needed a time of excavation. He was going to excavate things out of my life that didn’t need to be there. He was getting me ready to be a harvester and this process of sanctification would be necessary to equip me for the job. He knows the longing of my heart was to be able to participate in this last hour with not mere words but demonstration. He knows what He created me for.

I am going to tell you it has not been easy. I spent many years and tears in bed. I spent many years in bewilderment. I spent many years in the secret place. I spent many years being bombarded with painful symptoms and lies of the enemy telling me I was not going to make it- I was going to die- I couldn’t really count on God- why hasn’t He answered and delivered you if He is so good? Even now, I am still digging deep. I am going for the prize. I was created to do something in this last hour and it requires a particular set of skills – faith, patience, and endurance. With faith and patience Abraham received the promise…

People, we are contending for something here. We are not playing games. It is going to cost us everything. Are we willing to pay the price required? Are we going to dig deep? Are we going to be so focused on that thing we want from God that we will give our all? When we do, He will give us everything we ask for.

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.”

I am speaking here to the overcomers. I am speaking to the sons. It has been a long season of preparation. We are about to be unleashed. Remember the whole earth is groaning to see a people who look like Jesus, act like Jesus, and walk like Jesus.

Don’t give up…