“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
Our men’s Bible study group started the last chapter of “If you want to walk on water…” by John Ortberg a few days ago and we did some soul searching; thinking about times when we didn’t do what God probably intended us to do; fear of failure. Words not said, deeds not done and love not given. I have heard many different reasons from people I’ve asked to help feed Haitian children; “can’t their parents take care of them?”, “I don’t have funds at the moment to spare” or “let God feed them”. One of the men in our group said that there is a real sense of urgency after you reach 75 as you don’t know how many more days will be left; if God calls, you better listen and answer. For some of the children in Haitian schools there is a real sense of urgency as they go for days without food and sometimes there is no tomorrow for them. I don’t know what your sense of urgency is at the moment but if you have considered being a Trinity/HOPE donor, please prayerfully consider being a Matthew 25 donor; details are at our website. Are you ready to walk on water? I am closing today with words that were written by Amy Grant early in her career and I hope they will move you as they did me.
“It occurred to me this morning as I washed this face of mine, how quickly come the changes with a little passing time. A wrinkle here, a hair turned gray; a not so lilting step. I see me growing older, but I don't quite feel it yet. At times I nearly feel my age at others I'm, sixteen, so full am I of all the thoughts and feelings in between. Who would have thought the road of life would twist and turn so much? The journey makes me strong and weak and tender to the touch. And so this day I face the choice that I have faced each day; will I be open? Teachable? Unafraid of change? Yes. I will embrace this moment. Forgive my past mistakes, and remember that just showing up is sometimes all it takes. I'll seek the kind of beauty that time cannot erase; wisdom and experience resting on my face.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay