Forgive me for a short blog. It is a great topic, how "God took a bad situation and turned it around." There are so many things that have been messed up in my life. I was an alcoholic and drug addict before I was 22. I have been divorced and remarried. I have done more bad stuff then most and lived with lots of shame because of it.
All through my life the teachers and the parents said I would never amount to much. I got fired from jobs, and finally ran off to college to escape. I found Jesus in there somewhere. I rose to the level of failure in ministry, and gave up all together. I received a second chance and did missions to Brazil and Norway. God wasn't quite done with me yet.
I met Mary Anne, and slowly I gave up ministry aspirations all together. Three and half years I was in the desert hoping to make a friend at church, worship God in power and lead a life with significance. Instead I was empty at church. I longed to be home with my family, and if they didn't go with me, I stayed home.
One day I woke up and the Lord asked me to go to a new church - one in which I had met the pastor before. He and I had been at a few conferences together over the years. That was last year. Now I am teaching a class and receiving phone calls; in fact I have to schedule them.
God has taken me out of the desert, and is now restoring the joy of my salvation.
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
3 comments:
So many people I know have left "church" but not left the body of Christ. You give me hope that I too shall find a place of service and joy!
Well I never had a drug problem or was a worshiper of the booze. I didn't get in trouble with the law in my younger years and never have except for speeding tickets occasionally. Yep I have done some sinful things in my life though. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.
I don't seem to fit in with most chruches so I just wander around looking for opportunities to serve the Lord out side of church. Seems that is where He wants me to be for now.
David, I'm so glad that you're where you are happy and feel valued. Where what you have to contribute is being utilized. I don't know why God leads us through those desert times but, like you, recognize that He certainly has our best in all He does, even when we don't understand it.
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