“Life’s Journey”
Posted by Wayne Radd on Jul 21, 2019 in Words From Our Pastor | 0 comments
Life: It’s so interesting and filled with many twists and turns in direction! Have you ever wondered how and why life’s course was charted from childhood to the present day? For myself I never imagined my “Life Journey” would be like it has been!
Looking back and reflecting about my Life’s Journey I must acknowledge these truths:
1) I am grateful for All the Blessings –
* Great Parents and Brother
* Loving and supportive Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles
* Skills gained working hard with my Father
* My Encounter with Jesus at 10 years old
* My Christian walk and Call to Christian Ministry spanning over 30yrs.
* My Wife, Son and his Wife
* Life as a Grandparent
The list could go on and on-
2) I also recognize “Life’s Journey” is challenged by the Demands of Work, the weariness of the daily grind, and multitude of concerns in our Personal Life and Christian Ministry.
If you consider your “Life Journey” as I have you’ll find similar truths will be identified. I believe you would voice similar expressions of gratitude and speak of many of “Life’s Challenges.” No matter the variety of details and life experiences this fact is sure: “Our Life’s Journey” is not “Just a Short Trip, but A Life-time Walk filled with many vast experiences.”
With that in mind Two Primary Questions must then be addressed:
- What will we do regarding Life’s Journey and All its Demands?
* How will we handle Life’s Blessings as well as its Challenges?
* Will we become Filled with Arrogant Pride or will we Walk in Humility?
* Would Anger take hold and consume us when life doesn’t go as planned?
* Am I setup to remain Steadfast and Determined or will I give up and quit on Life’s Journey?
2) Most Important: We must ask ourselves “Who Will We Walk Life’s Journey With?” Consider two passages from God’s Word. In Amos 3:3 we are asked, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” In Eccl. 4:12 Solomon declares: “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Just as the biblical saints of old, are we willing to walk out “God’s Appointed Journey Road” no matter where it leads while simultaneously dealing with the demands occurring on life’s path?
Abraham was called by God to leave homeland and family to travel to the land He would show him. Later in life God again directed Abraham to take Isaac, God’s promised heir, and travel to Mt. Moriah where he would be tested. This act of obedience provided a foreshadowing of what would follow on Mt. Moriah. Friends, Mt. Moriah, the place of the Scull, is the very place where Jesus would be crucified. God truly “Provided for Himself The Lamb” (Gen. 22:8).
Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers. God positioned him to direct a massive survival strategy which spared multitudes from starvation. After the death of his father he was approached by his brothers. Rather than seek out revenge as they expected he declared, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result to preserve many people alive.” (Gen. 50:19-20).
Esther, you recall, was chosen to be the King’s wife only to be challenged by Mordecai on behalf of the Jewish people. Hear the words which span the ages: “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). No matter our position or status, like Esther, God will use willing vessels “For times such as this.” [Divine Appointments for His Divine Purposes and Glory]
Consider finally, “Saul-Paul”. An avid student of the Law, rising star among the Pharisaic ranks, and a notorious persecutor of the Christian Church. On his vengeful journey to Damascus to arrest Believers Saul’s encounter with Jesus totally altered his “Life’s Journey!” Saul’s Conversion experience and Calling as a “Chosen Instrument” of God brought him to proclaim the Gospel to Gentile Nations, Kings, and the Sons of Israel. Paul’s Journey brought forth multitudes of Blessings, as well as, an onslaught of personal sufferings! Paul’s declaration in Phil. 3:7-14 serves to challenge every Believer regarding our “Life Calling and Journey!”
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that
for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
So, Friend: “The Journey”… As You and I walk Life’s Path, we must realize:
“Jesus is Calling!”
First, Jesus says,
“Come to Me” — “I Am the Bread of Life” You will not hunger and as a believer in Jesus will never thirst” (Jn. 6:35). He promises, (Mt. 6:28-30) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- Confess and declare the words of this beautiful hymn, “All to Jesus, I surrender…” {Yield, Obey, Serve Jesus with all your might}
Secondly, Volunteer Freely to His “Journey Call”
Like Isaiah, touched by the Lord God’s Fire and Power, upon hearing His Word: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Declare boldly, “Here am I, Send Me.” In (1Pet. 2:9-10), as God’s precious possessions, “so proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
- Life’s Journey— “I Never Imagined it would be like this” and “I would not change a thing!”
- For My Journey in Jesus: I declare, “I am in God’s Place” and “All the way my Savior Has, Is, and Will Lead me. One Day these words I long to hear: “Well Done thou good and faithful servant, enter into my rest.”
- Finally, for You Friend: What is the story of “Your Life Journey?” What Road are You Traveling? Are you in “God’s Place?” Is Jesus leading You in Life’s Journey? Have You answered His Call and Will You Volunteer Freely to Go Wherever He Would Lead?