I stumbled on a goldmine.
And found gold, of course.
I was randomly scrolling through YouTube on a Wednesday afternoon, when I saw something stopped me on my tracks. A heart-to-heart conversation with Benny Hinn.
"Good morning, Holyspirit" was one of the earliest Christian materials I dove into and it shaped my walk with God a whole lot.
After being heavily impacted by his book, it's no shocker that I'd jump head first into any Benny Hinn related video lying on the streets of YouTube.
I tapped my phone screen and started watching the video, grinning like a two-year-old laid down on her dad's chest to catch some beauty sleep.
A few minutes into the video, the podcast host called Benny Hinn, dad.
No, it wasn't like spiritual father kinda dad. Her voice was laced with tenderness and trust more than with a hint of reverence.
Then it hit me, this video I found captured a precious father-daughter moment, expressed as a sit-down conversation.
I find that very cool, and the honestly and sweetness embedded throughout the entire conversation is why it's gold.
Oh, did I forget to mention that her husband, Michael Koulianos was one of the young men that used to travel with Pastor Benny for ministrations. Hehehe.
I know it's probably what someone would have seen coming but definitely not me.
Jessica Koulianos mentioned in one part how she had gone through a dark time growing up. Like most teenagers, she despised God and tried to get as far away from Him as possible.
Michael played a huge role in Jessica's return to the Lord and hearing this made me understand that God sees every man's labour and is a rewarder.
The irony is that the life Jess ran away from is the exact life she's now living so fulfilled. She also shared about a clash with her dad that made them go months without speaking.
Omoooo, it's the courage to share her story for me.
That's not even the most delicate thing she shared in that podcast episode.
She mentioned how she visited her dad alongside her husband and children. As she was leaving, on her way back into her car, her dad, aka Benny Hinn, went after her, grabbed her legs, and offered a heartfelt apology amidst tears.
This particular timestamp in the podcast shook me to my core.
It wasn't just the description of the act that hit me. Let's leave aside the fact that a large percentage of parents on this side of the world apologize non-verbally.
It was the humility of heart from which the act flowed.
If you find it hard to apologize to your friends, family or colleagues when you hurt them, this is your cue to drop that bad character.
Sho n gbo mi? (Are you listening to me?)
Listening to Benny Hinn's vulnerability with his daughter reminded me that walking with Jesus doesn't require perfection. Rather, it requires submission.
A total surrender of your heart, even when it stings your pride.
It's continuously giving yourself up and taking on Christ as your identity, breaking up fallow ground within you so your life reflects His actions, decisions and dispositions.
A popular phrase suddenly comes to mind and it makes more sense: "You will know them by their fruits."
Character is the greatest proof of transformation in a person's life.
Not the gifts of the spirit. Not the working of miracles. Not the anointing. Not the intensity of unknown tongues. Not access to portals, realms or dimensions.
Just plain, old, boring, character.
We can grow to express the fullness of the seed of righteousness that was planted in us, in the person of the Holy Spirit. And we should.
It's intentionally grooming ourselves to be patient and kind, gentle and faithful, humble and sacrificing.
Because real love will always, always be tested. And only the ripened fruits of character will stand the test of love.