Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my Soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
The Weather Channel has just aired a series called Iceberg Hunters. When Joyce and I saw the previews, I mentioned that the men sounded like they were from northern Newfoundland. I said it would be something special if they were from St. Anthony, Newfoundland. In 1966-67 I spent a year in St. Anthony serving as Personnel Officer with the US Air Force. Sure enough, when the program came on tonight it was from St. Anthony.
My mind flooded with memories of that year away from my family. I did not want to go and my heart ached when I had to say farewell to Joyce and our three children. I wondered how anything good could come out of the assignment.
As I prayed for God to use me, I made a commitment to be the faithful servant He wanted me to be. Rather than being miserable I chose to open myself to the Lord’s leading. It was a year of blessing in disguise. The Lord taught me to depend on Him and draw closer than ever before. I had opportunities of ministry that I could never have imagined.
There will be situations in our lives that will arise and cause us to shudder. It may even be like the shadow of death in today’s Scripture. In the most stressful and trying conditions we can be used the most effectively. It is our choice. We can either be a blemish or a blessing. I choose to be a blessing!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil