God’S Plan, Provision, And Purpose

I can remember back to when I was a young child, before I started going to school.  I began my schooling at the age of 5 when I entered the First Grade.  (I was so timid that I would not go on to the school yard until the morning bell would ring because I did not want to mingle with the other students.)  Yet, the thing I remember most, of my early life, is my Grandmother taking me up into her lap, while rocking in her rocking chair, and sharing the words and stories of God’s Truth, the Bible.  Because of that, I never questioned the existence of God.  If my Grandmother said God’s “IS” then that is Truth!  So, as I look back on my life, I realized how God sat me on a strong foundation on the Faith of my Grandmother.

I can also remember the first time I went to a Sunday School class.  I went with a cousin of mine and I was okay until she went to one class for ‘girls only’ and I was to go to a class of ‘boys only,’ where I knew no one.  Being so timid, I did not go.  I ran out of the room crying and out of the church building and ran all the way back home.  Yet, this cousin had a brother who was physically impaired.  He I trusted. he was my friend.  He was the second person, after my Grandmother, who ever told me about Jesus Christ.  God was building on the foundation laid by using my Grandmother and he used an unusual person, a person who was never to live a life I had opportunity to live. 

My life then went through a series of ups and downs.  I went to church most of the time.  But I was not growing in Christ as I should.  After a time in the Army and returning home I was in a car accident in which I could have lost my life.  After that experience,  I began to think that God had a plan for me in mind.

Then I met the girl who was to become my wife.  She is a strong Christ Follower and under her influence, I began to come back to the Lord.  And I had a desire to really grow in the Lord.  I was at the church building every time the doors were open but I was not growing, mainly because I was not committed in giving my life, if necessary, for Christ.  I needed something and as best I could, I sought out what that something may be.  I began to understand that if I seek God, He will be found of me.

God was still providing that which I needed.  My wife and I became a part of a new church where the pastor used expository teaching.  Through that I began to see and understand God’s Word as never before.  As my commitment grew, God showed me more of His Word.  Col. 1:27 opened a whole new world for me.  “Christ in you, the hope of glory!”  Working close with this pastor, I began to understand God’s call on my life.  Ministry opportunities opened up for me.  Then God allowed a unique thing to happen in my life.  I was fired from my computer job.  That was one of the best things that ever happened to me.  Now my dependence was on God alone.

I am now in a church were there is expository teaching and a deep commitment for taking the Gospel to the Unreached Peoples of the world.  

As I look back over my life now, I can see how God, in love and patience, brought me to where I am.  My only regret is that it took me so long to do it God’s way.  Yet, I am grateful to God that he has allowed me to live as long as I have so I could know, even to a small extend, the joy of becoming a slave of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called  according to His purpose.” 

Please notice four sets of two words each – “we know”  -  “love God”  -  ”the called”  - ”His purpose.”

Allow Him to do It!