"Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'" —John 20:28
" 'You shall be witnesses to Me…' (Acts 1:8). That means living with pure, uncompromising, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us. Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself?” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
As I was walking down the hall after getting a cup of coffee – a daily routine and my morning motivation – I had the image of a little bird sitting on a wire calling out in the midst of a hurricane. To what avail does that bird sing? How can it possibly stand against the storm. How could it possibly be heard above the wind and rain and thunder. Well, no one could hear it but for God. Singing in spite of the fearsome opposition .... through its obedience it was fulfilling its purpose .. a purpose for which it was created. It may seem to you that the “cultural” storm that rages about us is too great for our song to be heard. That perhaps the light that shines from us .. the song we sing .. is being drowned out by the force of the storm – you might be tempted to think that our song will have no affect. Not so my friend.
When the nation of Israel finally reached the river Jordan the first time, (Numbers 13-14) 10 of the 12 spies saw the “storm” – Giants in the land and a great fear came over the people. They refused to continue to follow the spiritual leadership of Moses. They would not cross the river. And so they missed a blessing – their very purpose for leaving Egypt - the promise of God. They did not fulfill God's purpose and plan because they trusted in themselves and wilted in the face of what waited for them on the other side of the river. They chose not to trust God and missed what He had prepared for them on the other side of the same river. And so the unbelieving generation died in the desert. They missed God’s best. True, they were no longer slaves, but they missed God all the same.
The second time the nation approached the river … the same storm was raging .. and more .. the river was at flood stage … impossible for men .. but possible for God. When they stepped into the water by faith … the river backed up and they occupied the land. Fulfilling God’s plan. I was sharing how Pathfinder became Pathfinder with some friends the other day. Before Martie and I submitted to God’s leading to start this ministry, we talked with my mom about it. We told her about what God was leading us to do. About the problems. Our hesitation. We had not gone to Mississippi with the intention of staying there and certainly not starting a ministry. She said “Charley, the river Jordan did not back up until they stepped out into the water.” My response was “Got it Mom!” Martie and I knew that we had to step out in and by faith. Putting our trust in God. She asked, “What are you going to call it?” We had not thought that far ahead .. we were still trying to get our socks and shoes off before we stepped in the water! She said “What about Pathfinder?” Pathfinder was the name of the youth ministry that my folks had started in Peoria, Illinois. So we decided to go with it .. Pathfinder on Mission. Pathfinder Mission. A work of faith.
Each of us is called to step into the water. These are dark times spiritually .. but I suspect they are not the darkest times that have ever been or ever will be .. just the darkest that we have seen. When I flew helicopters in the Army, I sometimes flew at night in the desert. It was very, very dark. No visible horizon, meaning you could not see where the sky and earth met. Hard to keep oriented. But then someone would light up a chem-stick. In all the darkness, I could see it from far off. One light in the midst of the darkness. Pointing me to my destination. My encouragement to you … Be the light! The darker the night - the brighter the Light!
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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