The Storms Will Come

This was a difficult week for several families in particular at Heartland Church -- a painful week.  It was a week of sharp contrasts.  It was a week where God's plan and purpose was not always clear and evident.  Weeks like this inevitably cause us to reflect on our own walk with God, on God's purpose for our lives and on how we choose to use the precious time we have been given.

For one family it was a time to say "goodbye" -- at least for now -- to a wonderful, godly woman.  Having recently lost my own father I understand, at least to an extent, this particular pain.  No matter how old they may be, I don't think we can really ever prepare ourselves for the loss of a parent.  What I cannot comprehend, though, is the pain of losing a spouse -- in this case a spouse of something like fifty-eight years.  

For another family it was a time to say "goodbye" -- at least for now -- to a wonderful, godly man.  This man was going away for a time because of decisions he made in the past.  Decisions he made before he understood who God really is.  Decisions he made before he buried his old self and began to live a new life for Jesus.

For both of these families, although it is not easy to see right now, I believe God has a plan.  

While he was in the hospital waiting on his wife, I had a chance to visit with this man who had managed to stay married to the same woman for fifty-eight years.  Think about that -- 58 years.  That's longer than I have been alive!

During our visit, this man told me a little bit about his own testimony -- about his own walk with God.  Despite what he was going through at the time, there was an amazing gentleness about him, an amazing calm and an amazing confidence in God.  Listening to his testimony was a huge blessing, and it was clear to me that God intends to continue to change lives through this man.

Although the context was strikingly different, I can say something quite similar about the man who is going away because of his past mistakes.  In what had to be one of the most stressful moments in his life, there was a remarkable calm and a remarkable trust in God.

This man's family has suffered through great difficulty and, make no mistake about it, more difficult times lie ahead.  They are innocent victims of what can only be described as incredible selfishness.

But, I do believe that God has truly changed this man.  I believe he is truly repentant, and that God has forgiven him.  I also believe that God intends to change lives through this man.  He has a great family, and they will survive this.  In fact, I really believe that some of his children will become world-changers.

In the pain of the moment -- in the closeness of the moment -- it may be difficult or even impossible to see God's hand in situations like these.  It might be difficult or impossible to see how God could take these circumstances and turn them into blessings.  But, He can.

There are, to be sure, other Heartland families going through difficult times.  These two just happen to be weighing on my heart tonight.

If you are one of those families, please know that our prayers are with you.  The storms have come before, and they will come again.  But, remember "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

God bless.