I Am Not a Name-Claim Kind of Guy
I always wanted to travel. In fact, I came pretty close to joining the military (Air Force, in particular) just so I could see the world. I had a “travel itch” that I had no idea would ever be scratched. My poor eye-sight kept me out of the pilot seat I hoped to occupy one day, but God had air travel of another kind in mind for me. I also wanted to be a missionary. As a young man I wasn’t sure if it was a call from God or more of my itch to travel that birthed those visions. Whatever it was, I had no idea what God had it mind.
He did “exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or imagine”. Within 3 years of my desire to travel and be a missionary, I was gifted a mission study tour that took me around the world in about 23 days visiting several countries and many missionaries along the way. I saw, heard, experienced, tasted, smelled, and touched more than my mind had had the ability to even envision. Oh yeah, and I have traveled to countries and met God’s people, shared the Gospel of Jesus, helped establish relationship-building ministries, and seen God changed lives including my own. He has kept His Word!
In 1972 I married a woman (Carol Lewis) who again fits the category of “exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or imagine”. I went into the teaching profession, youth ministry, adult ministry, and care ministry development in churches I had never dreamed of being allowed to serve. Talk about God doing exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or imagine? I have 3 awesome children, 11 equally awesome grandchildren, and a wonderful extended family, not to mention, so many people (now friends) we have met and served with in 12 countries of the world.
He has kept His Word!
Though not much encouragement came from my home, they did prepare me to trust God to do what only He can do. My family encouraged me to give my life to Jesus. I did. They encouraged me to know and love the Bible. I do.
I have come to wonder who encouraged my mom or dad when they were children and young adults. I hope someone did. Their faithfulness to God and each other gave me a stable home from which to launch. Though not much on the verbal encouragement, I can’t help but be grateful for their consistent faith and faithfulness in our church and at home. I am grateful. I was encouraged to do the same.
God sent encouragement through adults at church: leaders, teachers, pastors, music ministry. Teachers encouraged me during my school years. I went back to my home town several years ago and attempted to call or visit some of those very important people whom God used to encourage me. There were a few students and peers who encouraged my faith also. My college student ministry director and several student in our campus group let me know I wasn’t the only one with questions or the only student who struggled with faith. Through these and the work of the Holy Spirit in me personally, my heavenly Father has been my encourager.
If we can trust Him to take care of our eternity, shouldn’t we also be able to trust Him to keep us and be with us today and tomorrow? Are you in need of encouragement? Are you discouraged? Would you take a few minutes to think back on the ways God either directly or through others has been there for you?
What is your current age? In what ways has God sustained your life and met your needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually to keep you going through this very day? As stated above, I am not a “name it claim it” kinda’ guy, but much of what God has provided has been “exceedingly, abundantly” above what I knew to ask for or “claim” at the time. His ways and thoughts are high above and far above my own. Praise His name and worship God for His goodness to us!
Read Psalm 34:8 — Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.