When God Turns the Page...

Recent events in my life have prompted me to evaluate changes that are occurring for myself, my family, and my church. From the beginning of the year, it has become abundantly obvious that many changes will occur for many people in the months ahead. I have not witnessed so many deaths among the saints in my life as have come about in the last four months. Personal challenges and fiery trials have been abundant in the last four months. Physical and emotional stress is greater than ever.

After an accident three months ago, for the first several weeks, I spent time near death where only God and I were in conversation. It was a unique and profound period of time, and I have learned a great thing from God through it all. He has given me a great gift. For three months I have suffered without my voice, and always whispering with pain. Yet, I have grown spiritually more than even I am aware of just yet. A page has turned in my walk with God, and I am forever changed by it.

I am reminded of the prophetic words of Jesus Christ when talking of the last days “everything that can be shaken will be shaken”. I am convinced we are faced with the attempts of the adversary to sift us as wheat.

This series of unfortunate events have most recently been punctuated with the resignation of my Pastor. This man, who has been my friend for only five years but has had more impact on me than any one else I have been privileged to know, has finally been discovered by the District in which he ministers as the finest and most reliable man for the job. He was elected away from us, and we are left with no doubt among us that he will succeed famously. It is the hand of God in his life. A page has turned in this life journey for him.

I am very proud of my friend, my Pastor for the last few years. He leaves behind, however, a great vacuum that will not easily be filled. I am certain that there is no other like him. I know of no person in my church family who feels differently. A page has turned in our church, and the story must go on. We will have another Pastor, and we will learn his voice too; his name is written on the next page.

How much more can a person take? Has Job found his associates in misery among us, Gods people of the latter days? I am comforted in all of this because Jesus prayed for us. How can we falter, worry or be afraid? If God be on our side, who can be against us?

We have to keep changing. We must try to read the next page, and let the story of our lives continue. It is a hard thing, but God never intended for us to be static, just as He is not static.

After pondering the events and results of the recent past, I am forced to concede that it is a net gain for us all. Even though it might sound absurd to the fair thinkers in this world, I am certain that what has transpired has served to bring us all so much closer to the needs and effects of the kingdom of God. While we are in a revival state, and many are gaining ground in a spiritual walk, I believe this is much more than your usual spurt of revival feelings. This has a “permanent” feel to it. The page is turning for my city.

I think the page is turning for everyone on planet Earth.