GOING UP?
Arise, and let us go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you sit still? Do not delay to go, to enter, to possess the land.
Judges 18:9
One year, Debbie and I were in Augusta, Georgia, for a marriage conference. It was a great weekend as the couples were very receptive and appreciative of the truths we presented. On the flight home, our plane seemed to have a little trouble getting off the ground. We sped down the runway quite a long while. I began to wonder, “Are we ever going up?” Thankfully, we did get off the ground, and we eventually rose to 30,000 feet, high above the clouds.
Have you ever noticed how the Christian life can be like that plane ride? It can seem like you are working hard and doing all the right things, but you never seem to be getting off the ground. Sometimes it is easy to think, “What’s the use? This isn’t working. God isn’t answering my prayers. Nothing is getting better. I might as well quit.”
Listen, regardless of how long you have been speeding down the runway of life with no lift-off, IT IS ALWAYS TOO EARLY TO QUIT. Keep doing what is right in God’s sight. Keep praying and seeking Him. Keep reading His Word. Keep singing His praises. Keep loving your wife. Keep respecting your husband. Keep training your kids in the way they should go. KEEP TRUSTING JESUS, no matter what!
A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE
Last week, I received this e-mail from a sweet lady who kept speeding down the runway, even though there was no lift-off. Listen to what she experienced:
This year has been an extremely difficult one, and its only April. My husband and I were all but divorced, having tried “everything” to work things out. As a last resort we attended your Marriage Retreat in February. Wonderful! Although I didn’t understand or agree with everything that was said there, something clicked and things made sense to the both of us.
My family and I have attended your services regularly since that weekend. Recently we were faced with another difficult challenge. By nature I am a worrier and was consumed with this situation not working out. As I sat at work one day in tears (again) it dawned on me, “I need to turn this over to God.” So that’s what I did. I prayed about it, and prayed about it, and prayed about it. Every time I began to worry I told myself “you’ve already given this to God, let it go.” And it WORKED! A week later, everything worked out and the situation was resolved.
NOW I’m beginning to understand. NOW I’m beginning to understand what you were talking about at the retreat, and in our Sunday school, and in your sermons. NOW I’m beginning to understand what you mean by “Walk with God”. I know I still have a long way to go, but it makes sense now. And it’s WONDERFUL! From the bottom of my heart and my family’s, “Thank you!”
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
