I got an e-mail today from an old friend. He began to describe that the best times of his life were memories with me in them. He thanked me and stated that even though we will probably never meet again his life is changed by the time I spent with him. Even though I was not the best influence as a Christian during these times God still had an impact through me and it was so encouraging to hear this. Its so easy for us to get sucked into a negative thought about our past. The Grace of God is just such an incredible thing, but I never realized that even though I was drowning in sin God was still setting up these opportunities to make an impact in others lives. The fact is that when Gods plan begins to unfold before your eyes its just so amazing to behold the details. I hear often Christians say things like "Oh I wish so badly the Lord would return today, I'm ready to be with him in heaven." Which is fine the bible says to eagerly await the return of our Lord. Its weird but I pray for the Lord to wait. Not because I want to get married, have kids, embark on a career. The simple truth is their are way to many people who still need to be impacted. I want to make sure 100% that when I stand before the Lord I get to hear him say well done. you completed every quest I gave you. I visualize myself before the Lord and behind me stands all the people I brought with. If the Lord only used me to reach one other person in the world I would be satisfied with that because the Lord has such a immense plan that I can stand confident that the one only person would have been used in greater massive way then myself.
Once a man of God stood upon the entrance to a forest, the path was narrow and he could not see five feet ahead of him. He stood there praying waiting for guidance from the Lord to navigate him through this forest. He heard the Lord whispering his name and he began to walk. As he walked blind to the natural world he stumbled upon a man sitting next to the side of the road. he asked "why are you just sitting here when the voice of God is calling out to us." The man replied, I walked this road blind for days and as I began to doubt the voice of God disappeared and I could no longer tell where I was going. The man said "Come I am confident in the Lord and I will get us out of here." so they began to walk. As they walked the Man talked about all the incredible things God has done in his life. The man that was stuck walked tuning out the sound of the righteous mans voice because all he cared about was getting out of the forest. They came upon an opening where they saw a child sprawled out upon a rock. The man of God said son why are you laying down while the voice of the Lord is calling out to you? The child replied I followed my parents through this forest but as we walked deeper the more I needed to rely on Gods voice to navigate, I got separated from my parents and gave up. The man of God said come join us and I will help you get to the end. As they walked the man of God began to share his testimony with the child. The kid was full of joy and hope and listened to every word the man would say. The man from the side of the road continued to follow behind ignoring the conversations taking place. As they walked the kid began to ask many questions. "How can I become like you and be able to share my life with others? The man of God said child all you need is believe and repent from your sins and listen to the whisper of the Lord. so the kid stopped and prayed. Suddenly he could hear the Lord whispering for him to come to him. they began to walk and the child's excitement radiated from his every step for he so badly wanted to see the Lord. They reached the end of the path and the Lord sat upon a stump smiling as they came near. The man of God said oh Lord thank you so much for leading us out of the forest we have traveled for days and I never doubted you would stop guiding. The Lord said to the man of God you did your job and its time for you to come home. At this the Man from the Side of the road rushed up and said Lord Lord I followed this man and I to am ready to be home with you. God looked sadly upon the man and said you neglected me you did not seek me with all your heart. and you never listened to the man I sent you to save you. Then the Lord Looked thoughtfully upon the child. "Come forward my child, and speak your thoughts." The kid looked up with so much joy in his eyes, he said to the Lord. "Please Lord I do not wish to go with you yet, I still have so much to give just as this Man saved me from the forest, and my soul. I wish to be a guide for the lost. I ask of you Lord to allow me to stay in this forest, even though I cannot see everything ahead and where the people will be but I know with all my heart you will guide my every step." The Lord smiled upon the child and said "I will always be with you and I will use you to save the thousands of souls lost in that forest."
This story describes my thoughts perfectly even though the Man of God was called home the Child wanted to devote his life and more time to save others. Now when the day of the Lord comes we will not be able to ask to stay and save for we will all be called home. but for the time being lets make sure we are doing everything we can to accomplish the Lords plans for our lives.
Once a man of God stood upon the entrance to a forest, the path was narrow and he could not see five feet ahead of him. He stood there praying waiting for guidance from the Lord to navigate him through this forest. He heard the Lord whispering his name and he began to walk. As he walked blind to the natural world he stumbled upon a man sitting next to the side of the road. he asked "why are you just sitting here when the voice of God is calling out to us." The man replied, I walked this road blind for days and as I began to doubt the voice of God disappeared and I could no longer tell where I was going. The man said "Come I am confident in the Lord and I will get us out of here." so they began to walk. As they walked the Man talked about all the incredible things God has done in his life. The man that was stuck walked tuning out the sound of the righteous mans voice because all he cared about was getting out of the forest. They came upon an opening where they saw a child sprawled out upon a rock. The man of God said son why are you laying down while the voice of the Lord is calling out to you? The child replied I followed my parents through this forest but as we walked deeper the more I needed to rely on Gods voice to navigate, I got separated from my parents and gave up. The man of God said come join us and I will help you get to the end. As they walked the man of God began to share his testimony with the child. The kid was full of joy and hope and listened to every word the man would say. The man from the side of the road continued to follow behind ignoring the conversations taking place. As they walked the kid began to ask many questions. "How can I become like you and be able to share my life with others? The man of God said child all you need is believe and repent from your sins and listen to the whisper of the Lord. so the kid stopped and prayed. Suddenly he could hear the Lord whispering for him to come to him. they began to walk and the child's excitement radiated from his every step for he so badly wanted to see the Lord. They reached the end of the path and the Lord sat upon a stump smiling as they came near. The man of God said oh Lord thank you so much for leading us out of the forest we have traveled for days and I never doubted you would stop guiding. The Lord said to the man of God you did your job and its time for you to come home. At this the Man from the Side of the road rushed up and said Lord Lord I followed this man and I to am ready to be home with you. God looked sadly upon the man and said you neglected me you did not seek me with all your heart. and you never listened to the man I sent you to save you. Then the Lord Looked thoughtfully upon the child. "Come forward my child, and speak your thoughts." The kid looked up with so much joy in his eyes, he said to the Lord. "Please Lord I do not wish to go with you yet, I still have so much to give just as this Man saved me from the forest, and my soul. I wish to be a guide for the lost. I ask of you Lord to allow me to stay in this forest, even though I cannot see everything ahead and where the people will be but I know with all my heart you will guide my every step." The Lord smiled upon the child and said "I will always be with you and I will use you to save the thousands of souls lost in that forest."
This story describes my thoughts perfectly even though the Man of God was called home the Child wanted to devote his life and more time to save others. Now when the day of the Lord comes we will not be able to ask to stay and save for we will all be called home. but for the time being lets make sure we are doing everything we can to accomplish the Lords plans for our lives.
