Just a glance....

When I first saw this sign on my way to work, I got real excited for a second because I thought they were opening a "Better Health" store. I guess I was fooled by the colors. Funny how that first glance can give you the impression of something that is not even close to actuality! A glance is only a quick or brief glimpse, yet we sumise in our minds what we think is reality - for a moment. I think sometimes we look at God that way. We glance at Him once in a while and we think we know what He is all about. There is a song that goes: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!" Until we surrender our lives to Him and allow Him to come live in us, we don't even have a clue what He looks like! Just sayin'!

The Samaritan Road

My experience over the last couple years working with Samaritan's Purse has taught me many things and has helped me to find the direction God is leading me for future ministry.

I learned some new skills:

 

Made some new friends, and even led a team:

 

But this last trip to Greeley, CO did not turn out like I expected.  In fact, it was FAR from it! So, why not?  Did I miss God? I went there expecting everything to go as planned.  I would go out into the field and work with the other volunteers doing mud-outs and cleanups for the people whose homes were damaged in the floods - period - end of story! But that is not what happened!  Instead I ended up with an eye condition that totally incapacitated me and I spent half my time there seeing Doctors and laying in a dark room with excruciating pain.  It was a very humbling experience as I had to allow others to take care of me instead of me helping others.

When things don't go as we expect them to, we are tempted to second-guess ourselves and God.  I certainly had opportunity to feel sorry for myself, or feel that I wasted my time and money doing something that maybe God hadn't really called me to do.  But, as I kept looking to God for His purpose in this, I began to see His hand at every turn.  I found myself getting direction from God for future ministry and assurance from Him that He will take care of me no matter where or what situation I find myself in!  I was still able to be part of the team in yet another facet of the ministry by helping in the kitchen to cook the meals for the other volunteers, and I received the love and prayers from many of them along the way.

" The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." (Prov. 16:9 - NASB)

In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Paul apart to "do the work for which He called them..." They were commissioned and sent on their way to Seleucia, Cyprus and Salamas and began to spread God's word, but not everything went smoothly.  They came up against opposition, were deserted by John Mark, and were persecuted.  Yet, God still called them and equipped them, and was with them throughout their journeys.

Paul was blinded on his way to Damascus, but his time in darkness allowed his mind to be restored to light (truth).

Therefore, as I find myself in good company, I am grateful for every moment of my experience, and look forward to greater things to come!