The Gift of Prophecy

I had a pretty cool night last night.

Something happened that I have never before seen in my life - but so you can really enter into the mood (or as Rob Harley would say - so I can really hang a picture in the gallery of your mind!!) I need to give you a little background info...bear with my ramblings for a second if you can!

I don't know about you but everytime I've been in a church setting where there has been anything vaguely resembling the use of the gift of prophecy, I seemed to have missed out! I was always out of the room helping with something (or in the loo!!) - just not one of the ones who received a prophecy so I never, and I mean NEVER, have had anyone prophesy over me... or even near me for that matter!!

You'll all be pleased to know that I made it through this stage of life unscathed - the wound I thought was there I've discovered is not and I've moved on!!

Last night however, all this changed...

Shaun and I were sitting at the rugby - yes in the 'cake tin' (Hurricanes vs Bulls) - and I say sitting as the game was not exactly at a nail-biting moment until all of a sudden, the Bulls were nudging dangerously close to the touch line (right where we were sitting!). So as we both contort facial expressions that translate to 'please don't let them score' (!!) and we watch the Hurricanes keep the Bulls back, I hear a voice to my right...

Shaun ever so casually leans my way and says (among other things), "...and number 14 is gonna score the next try!" I looked back at him and smiled one of those, 'Yep! Of course! Anything you say!' kind of smiles - you know, the type where you don't want to go anywhere near that 'I'm fully taking a chance but "I know my rugby" ' kind of look!! - and next thing I know, and I seriously mean within 60 seconds, after a scrum inside the 22 (or lineout - can't remember which!), all of a sudden the Hurricanes break free and are running hardout down the field. Before we know it, a pretty slick pass makes its way to Hosea Gear and guess who scores right in the corner? None other than number 14! (and you'll be pleased to know, here ends my attempt at any more rugby jargon!!)

I'm not sure who was more shocked, the Bulls fans or us!! We jumped up and down with the rest of the crowd and then, what actually just happened, hit us!!... and I must say, I sat back down with a bit of a grin!

I may have missed every opportunity of prophecy for the past 30years but after Shaun's efforts last night, I don't think I have any complaints - I have my very own, walking, talking, prophet!

....well that's if one try scoring prediction counts! - I mean really...let's not get into the gift definition war tonight because if it doesn't count, I'm not sure who'd be more disappointed - me or Shaun! Let's let it count eh?....eh?!