In The Center?

Sunday night we had a ‘visiting’ preacher – from New Jersey.  You’ll have to admit, that’s not in the middle of the Bible belt and is not known for being a hot bed of Baptists.  But – there he was.  His daughter met a young man in Bible College, who happened to be from our church.  He sent his son with her to visit said young man’s family – he immediately gave up overseeing his sister’s trip when he met a young woman, in a different Bible College, but also in our church.

Thanksgiving he came with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson to visit his daughter and son-in-law here.  Both son and son-in-law are pastors, too. Tonight we had at least five active or retired preachers in our congregation.  After evening services there were some great photo ops with young people who grew up in our church, babies, new friends, family and extended church family.

And, we heard a very good sermon on being in the center of God’s will.

Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God. (Jeremiah 42:5-6 KJV)

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  A group of people seeking God’s will and promising to obey.  Heard that same song and dance myself.  Actually, I’ve done it myself.  Preacher mentioned those of us who seek counsel for a decision, and continue to seek – until we find someone who agrees with what we were thinking any way.

Doing it our way is just soooo much better, isn’t it?

Well, keep in mind what happened to this group who came to God’s spokesman for advice, dissembling in their hearts, knowing if the answer was not what they wanted, they would do as they pleased:

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn. (Jeremiah 42:22 KJV)

Both the preacher and our Pastor gave a couple of examples that will remain in our minds.  We know the easy part of staying in God’s will – follow his commandments.  We’re not very good at that part either, are we?

What then should we do?  How about simply reading His word, learn His ways, follow the successful examples in His word (there are some there to learn how NOT to be, remember) and speak with Him in prayer.

Let me tell you – knowing the prayers said for us since Thanksgiving has been a tremendous blessing.  Crises occur in every life.  We were blessed with a number of people who were in the right place at the right time to provide exactly what my Beloved Husband needed.  I put that in the column “Answered Prayer.”  For your prayers, I give thanks to Him for knowing you and pray that you will come to know Him even better than I do.  May he bless you, every one!