“But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
Sometimes life can be a real bummer! No … this is not a sellout or some sort of pity party! Very simply, life can serve up a curve ball when we were looking for another pitch!
I loved playing baseball and learned with each year the layers of intricacy to America’s favorite pastime! I don’t play anymore, but I still enjoy watching it. While I played at the game, I never relished facing a curveball, but realized very quickly the need to learn how to hit it! Not sure I ever mastered it.
Because of numerous health issues that would bring me very close to the brink of death on numerous occasions, I needed to step down from doing that which I have loved to do so much for the majority of my life … preach/teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
It was always my prayer that if it were to be the Lord’s will … I would like to be able to preach a lesson or two … even conduct a short meeting somewhere … sometime.
I will tell you that for the longest time it just did not appear that opportunity would present itself. One setback after another led to times of deep discouragement and despair! Sometimes the hardest thing to do is smile … but you do it because of being greatly blessed and highly favored!
But the Lord heard my prayers and those of so many we know and love! I have been invited to conduct a three-day meeting beginning this coming Lord’s Day. And by God’s will and His loving care, I will once again have the privilege … the honor … of proclaiming truths from God’s precious word!
The anticipation … the preparation … the rehearsal in my mind … brings so much joy to my heart and to those we love and care for so much.
May I ask a favor from each one of you who reads this? Thank you … I will! Please pray for my wife and me as we travel to Kansas City and get rested up for Sunday … that I might have the strength, the clarity of mind needed … the stamina to do what I can to honor our Lord and encourage our brethren … and help lead a lost soul to Christ!
Will the opportunity come around again? I don’t know. Will I find the needed strength to preach even on a limited or occasional basis? I just don’t know! But God does! You see … “He knows the way I take …” and He also knows yours!
Bearing the side effects of several chronic and often debilitating diseases, I pray I can! Thank You, Lord, for the coming opportunity!
To those men who have the privilege of preaching and teaching regularly … may I encourage you to not take your privilege for granted!
Regardless of what you might be facing in life … fear, weariness, disappointment, guilt, sadness or the feeling that you are all alone … always know that our wonderful and loving Father is always mindful of the “way” we are during the journey of life!
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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