After quite a long week of work, we pulled out Friday evening to head home. 14 hrs. on the road was well worth the chance to see our families. And for me, it was truly a blessing by God to be able to be home.As we were pulling out of Georgia, I received a text from a young man Joe. He lives down the road from me, in fact, he was one of my first sunday school kids back in 1997. The text read, "Walter, I have terrible news, call me when you get a chance" As soon as I read this, obviously my mind began to fill in the unknown. So I immediately called him only to find out the his father Paul Williamson had died by a heart attack Friday morning. Paul was a dear friend to me. He had come to the Lord in the same timeframe as I did in 1996. He lived only a few houses away and regularly attended the bible study at my house on Monday evenings. This of course was a shock to me and others. I was overwhelmed with emotion at the moment he informed me, most thankful that God had already directed my path to be home in just a little while.
When I think of this and how God had used this weekend for me to minister to Joe, who is struggling himself with the belief in the Lord Jesus, I can only be reminded of the truth of our Lord that He directs our path.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path"
So often I find myself wondering whether God is still involved in the direction of my life. When things are complacent for a season, or when I just don't feel I am listening to His direction, I think it is important that we understand what His promise here is…
In all your ways, acknowledge, or to recognize, or accept Him. This has nothing to do with what we do per se, but in our mind, do we accept His presence, do we recognize that our God wants to provide input in our lives. And in many cases, I find that as we acknowledge Him, He will supersede our way with His will. This is what I love so dearly about our living God! He does not leave us stranded in this dry and empty land where there is no water to satisfy our souls! He loves us!
Well, I will miss you Paul, I will miss your burly laugh, crazy hair and passionate discussions. I will miss your friendship in this life. BUT I rejoice for you and all the more I look forward to Jesus' return! When we are all caught up together in His presence, never to look back, enjoying His presence for millions and millions of years to come!
We are heading back to Georgia for the final days to get our obstacles assembled. The weather isn't looking promising, but I know God is promising. I look forward to His will in the coming days...
I love the crazy hair comment, so true! One thing we said we will miss! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful how the Lord brought Joe and Eva down to Monday Night, and I am thinking that for so long, Paul would have been saying Aposile Pauls words " My dear Children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, beacause I am perplexed about you" (Galatians 4:10-20)
The joy it brought to my heart to see them. I'm praying continually that they will come out again.
In the meantime, through tears as I looked around the room monday night, I was encouraged..out of a deep sadness, came so much togetherness, so much unity among the brothers and sisters in Christ. Young and old unified in hearts, and most importantly in Christ.
I am so thankful for "Monday Nights" as we so lovingly call it. For each and every person there.
I am encouraged by Matthew 7:24, "therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
As we each continue on in the Lords leading. I am grateful for the wonderful people we have met along the way.
"And we all, who with unvield faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:18)
Blessings
Carrie