Philippians 3:13-14
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do you feel as if you go through life with a giant question mark over your head? Do you listen to the news of God’s people being taken hostage, and wonder why? Do you question why children are diagnosed with incurable diseases? Do you ask yourself why God allows the wicked to appear to prosper?
There are a multitude of questions that seem constantly to be with us. In the back room of our mind we conjure up notions that if we had understanding on some of these issues, all would be well. Can I let you in on a little secret? IT ISN’T GOING TO HAPPEN! Not only is it not going to happen, it should not be our goal. Being used of God is simply doing what He says, whether we ever gain understanding.
More and more I see God accomplish things in my life that are not a result of my own resolve. It is just being available, and then going on about my normal business. Several years ago I received an e-mail that really illustrates this whole idea of God being and doing things we cannot understand. Do you think this story is true? It sure could be!
ALMIGHTY GOD
The pastor of a store front church called “The Almighty God Tabernacle” was working late on a Saturday night. He decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn’t answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. The following Monday the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he’d used that Saturday night. The man on the other end wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night. The pastor was dumbfounded and couldn’t figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the caller said, “It rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.”
The pastor remembered the apparently misdirected call and apologized for disturbing the gentleman, explaining that he’d intended to call his wife.
The caller said, “That’s OK, let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, “God, if You are there, and You don’t want me to do this, give me a sign right now.” At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘ALMIGHTY GOD’. I was afraid to answer!”
The man who had intended to commit suicide is now meeting regularly for counseling with the pastor of a church called—The Almighty God Tabernacle.
Instead of wasting a lot of time trying to come up with answers that are beyond our capacity to understand, isn’t it better to just take God’s hand? Those things which God wants us to know will be revealed to us. The other things that we struggle to understand will just have to wait until God reveals them to us.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil