Jeff
The second line of the hymn How Great Thou Art says “When I, in awesome wonder…” Childhood is often the phase of life when we’re filled with “awe and wonder” because everything is brand new. But as the years go on, I find myself experiencing far more moments of such awe and wonder myself. With age comes understanding. And the Lord has filled my heart with a deeper understanding of his grace in my life. As Chuck Colson once said, “If you can sing Amazing Grace with dry eyes, you’re doing it wrong.”
SAY TO GOD: “HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME!”
I’ve (genuinely) made the same remark to the president of every organization I’ve worked for in the past 30 years. Along the lines of “It’s as if I was distinctly created to do this very job!” or “I love this role so much that I’d do it for free!” That last comment may be hyperbole (a family and a home make a salary rather necessary). But I have found that when I’ve answered God’s call, I have felt truly alive and in the center of God’s will.
SAY TO GOD: “MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE!”
I’ve had the “privilege” of experiencing two job losses and a broken wedding engagement. The feeling of hopelessness was, initially, top of mind. But through the lens of God’s grace in hindsight, those events eventually brought a renewed sense of faith and gratitude. But also deepened my relationship with the Lord in ways I couldn’t have asked for or imagined. I wouldn’t have chosen or volunteered for any of those challenging experiences. But I wouldn’t want to rule them out either because I would never want to have missed out on the invaluable lessons learned.
SAY TO GOD: “GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD!”
The cause of life for the unborn has always been near and dear to my heart. But as heartbreaking as the intentional loss of an unborn child is, the Lord also has opened my eyes and heart to the other elements involved here: the mothers, the fathers, the families, and the communities. As John Stonestreet often says, “It’s not a matter of making abortion illegal, it’s making it unthinkable. For as tragic as this cause is – and it is – there is far more forgiveness, deliverance, and peace than we can ever imagine.
SAY TO GOD: “DELIVER US FROM EVIL!”