Some things are best served slow roasted after a long marination process and even a spell of natural aging in a cellar. These items or delicacies are purposefully tended to in small interactions over prolonged periods of time, but when they are finally prepared, it is a treat to all who feast!
The year was 1997, I had returned from a summer of hockey in the great state of Minnesota. It was the middle of September when I gave my heart to the Lord and received His Spirit. The interaction was embedded in me and maybe a few others that evening. As I received the promise of the Lord when the minister went to lay hands on me, he couldn’t touch me. I was compelled backwards. No not in a falling motion, but leaning back like I had found a wall yet I was in the midst of a restaurant room. Those that were around me and witnessed my “spiritual birthday” told me later on that evening that they had been blown to the sides while they were sitting in their chairs and pressed together.
That night began with a choice. I was presented with a choice to take a walk with Jesus and receive Him personally then I was offered His promise that would come and I received the Spirit as well. I described this interaction so its stands as my testimony and a reminder.
That night had been precipitated by other events and moments. 2 times in my semi-adult life I had been asked about receiving the Lord. Sure I had been through ceremonies in church that assured me of these things, but my heart hadn’t been given over fully. But that night in September of 1997 I did and it sent me on my journey.
Leaping forward, I had an insatiable hunger for God’s Word. I started with a New Believers NLT version then upgraded to a parallel KJV/AMP bible. I still have both bibles after 25+ years. Those pages have been underlined, marked, highlighted, and even torn in spots, but the fact of the matter is it has been a great way to draw closer to the Lord and learn, allowing His Spirit to lead me and instruct me along the way.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
One of the most fascinating topics for me was Revelation. I loved it and devoured that book of the Bible more than any other for the first decade of my walk with the Lord. I’d read it several times a year along with portions of the Gospels, Daniel, and Ezekiel. Sure I’d read the whole bible every year, but I’d spend more time on what was to come and the end of times….
I heard many interpretations, read many thoughts, and each scenario had us leaving the earth at some near point in time. Then… the real journey began.
I had to unlearn.
In my zeal and desire to learn and grow I had captured things that would taint the picture I now have. So after being pricked a couple of different times, I began to let go of my incessant pursuit of ‘end times’. I began to refocus on the Lord in a new way, a deeper way, an inward way. Life was no longer about leaving earth and saving people. It was about pursuing God. Sure it didn’t stop me from testifying and sharing, but it brought me in a new direction with him. This is the path I still follow today and am grateful for it. I have learned in ways I could not have imagined. God is faithful through it all.
I was just sharing with my padres earlier this week about a new picture of Jesus that I saw. It was one where He was standing up in the bow of the boat and speaking to the ferocious storm.
“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, ‘Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.’ And they launched forth.
But as they sailed he fell asleep, and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, ‘Master, master, we perish.’ Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm (Luke 8: 22-24 KJV).”
This demonstrated to His disciples His authority and who He was because the storm ceased and there was a calm. But Jesus also showed them who He was on the inside. He was not in conflict nor worried. He was in a calm and deep peace that couldn’t be ruffled by rising waters, biting wind, or the battery of the waves. He demonstrated who he was on many levels in that moment. And this is the peace we draw from today. John 14 tells that He has left that peace with us and for us to use it so that our hearts wouldn’t be troubled nor afraid (v27).
Sudden terrors happen and our hearts jump, but then God’s peace steps in and curtails that storm. Even when the world’s circumstances demonstrate something different, we pull from His word, rebuke the antagonizer, then speak His peace that He gave to us. Finally, believe and stand.
Let this serve as a reminder as we make our way through tumultuous times and days. We can have a peace that surpasses any common understanding and remain calm in the storm. Make no mistake there will always be challenges… and even if you forget for a period of time, be sure to say “my bad, Lord.” I’ll rebuke the storm and call forward your peace.
You are precious in His sight. He has you right where you need to be. Don’t lose faith. Keep pushing forward and stay calm in the storm. David told us how the good man is treated, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD (Psalm 112: 7 KJV).” Be brave you can do this!
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. Today’s story is the first seeding. I can’t tell you what the day will bring, but I can tell you Who holds it in the palm of His hand. Eyes up, Heads up!
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