It’s good to know that God is always working. However, it’s tough sometimes to learn from Him. When He’s right, He’s right (and He is always is right) which is a difficult thing for us to deal with. Today He reminded me of something very important and it humbled me and brought me to tears.
As a bi-vocational pastor life is sometimes challenging. It isn’t easy to work full-time, pastor a church and have a family. There are days, like today, that things are hectic. Work has been busy and things need to be done on time and yet today, just as I was getting ready to begin, the power went out. The utility company had an automated message informing us they knew of the problem and it should be fixed by 3 p.m. today. The power went out a little before 9 a.m. and if it does not get fixed until 3 I get to work tonight in order to get everything finished in time for Friday pick-ups an deliveries. I admit that I gradually began to throw my own little “pity party” lamenting all of my trials and tribulations. There are things I want to do tonight. Things I need to do tonight. Working my job does not fall into either of those categories.
Long story short, the power came on about an hour later, praise the Lord, and work began (again). Not everything will get done today but we’ll manage to get it all out on time. I’m not thrilled about that but it’s better than it could have been. Then God stepped in and gave me a solid “whack” upside my head to put things in perspective for me.
At lunch I received an email update about a local pastor’s family and the medical condition of his daughter. The condition is a very serious one. One that could take her life if it turns out to be what some tests have indicated. I read his email which was written with great optimism and faith that God will take care of her. That’s what we all hope for, that’s what we all pray for, and as best we can – what we believe for. Not just for this little girl but for all those we know who are hurting.
I’m not going to give all the details of their situation. I will however paste in the last part of the message I received. Read it – don’t scan it.
“I can ask that you continue to earnestly pray for Eden and us all. Pray that God would be glorified in her healing. Pray that my family would be strengthened. Pray that we would grow deeper in Christ. Pray that we’ll all learn what it means to labor in prayer. Pray that God would give witness of His love and power to my lost family and friends. Pray that our precious family would experience a mighty movement of God in which His bride is made pure, and used by the Lord to impact many, many for Christ. Pray that we’ll have strength for the journey and that God would provide for all our needs. Pray that we’ll trust in God’s power moment by moment and learn to rest in His grace. Please pray that I would not be given to fear. Sometimes, when I hear Eden cough at night I become so afraid, wondering if her lungs are beginning to show signs of bad things to come. Pray that God would be close to me and give me the faith to believe to do the impossible. I’m there most of the time. Sometimes I do look at the waves and begin to sink.
I offer you this powerful word from God to meditate on and believe God in faith with me for my daughter.
John 11:4 (NIV)
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Thanks again for your continued prayers. We love you all and thank God for you.”
Are you humbled? Are tears beginning to flow? Is your heart broken? Are you, like me, ashamed of the times that we grumble because we “think” things are bad and we focus on ourselves?
When those times come remember Eden and her family. Remember this dad’s prayer request which echoes the prayer of so many others who are hurting far more than we may ever know. Instead of trying to outdo one another with our stories of tough days, illnesses and problems let us be people who really care about the needs of others. Folks who seek to help those who are hurting.
May God give us the grace to be givers instead of takers.
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South Florida-based singer, songwriter, and ventriloquist Brent Vernon believes that God can use anyone — even the most unlikely among us — to do great things for Him. As a shy kid who struggled to articulate himself, Brent did not envision himself playing concerts and leading worship as he does today. But for the past fifteen years, his concert ministry has inspired the thousands who have found their way to small country churches, inner city ministries, contemporary suburban churches, elementary school assemblies, college chapels, coffee houses, and the many other venues Brent has played.
