The Bible says: 'After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming..."The time has come...The kingdom of God is near"...' (vv14-15 NIV). The average preacher takes three years to prepare for a ministry that will last thirty years or so. Jesus did the reverse. He took thirty years to prepare for a ministry that would last just over three.
What's the point? The quality of your preparation determines the quality of your performance. The world's greatest pianists invest hundreds of hours into practice before a concert. That's because they know those gruelling hours of preparation will allow them to give their best performance. World champion boxers don't become champions in the ring; they are merely recognised in the ring. Their 'becoming' is a result of their daily routine. Something important is happening at each stage of your development. For example, God can introduce you to someone today who will play a major role in your life twenty or thirty years from now. If you're in a hurry you may not stop long enough to connect with them. Think what a loss that would be. Waiting also reveals the weakness in your plans. Haven't you looked back and said, 'Thank You, Lord, for saving me from that!' Each chapter and season of life has a benefit and a product if only you will look for it.
Before Christ launched His ministry, we read: 'Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man' (Luke 2:52 NIV). Jesus understood the value of timing and training. He was willing to wait and prepare Himself. You must too.
Today was AMAZING. I am feeling all emotional and stuff.
For 9 months i have been trying to convince T to contact his parents. He has not had contact with them since he disappeared from a motel while visiting them - in 2006.
He kept telling me that he would do it when he was ready. It got to the point where i felt like i was nagging and preaching to him - but i didn't give up.
Two weeks ago it was his Dad's birthday and i couldn't believe it when he told me that he was going to phone them. I was over the moon and popped out to the dairy while he made the call. I thought it best to leave him alone to do it.
When i returned he was teary eyed and i thought he was joking when he told me that his phone call had caused his mother to have an angina attack - but apparently he wasn't!
Today we went on a road trip to visit them. It was such a wonderful, wonderful day. It was so awesome to meet his parents, spend hours looking at photos of when he was little, and just be part of so much happiness, love, and forgiveness.
Today was a very special day. AMAZING does not even begin to describe it.
I am missing my American family more than ever right now. I wish it was as easy as jumping in the car to be able to see them, but am so happy for T and for his parents. You could just see in their eyes how happy they were, how the past did not matter, and how much they love him.
I'm wiped.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment