God’s TLC

Sometimes God tells all of us that we can run for Him another time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t run at all. Each of us in the body of Christ has an important role to play.

Before I start telling you this week's story, I would encourage you to read Chapter 18 of 2 Samuel in its entirety. Then you will see how much the young man who was chomping at the bit to run ahead of God and deliver a message to the king, is like all of us. Having said this, I would like to share my story with you. I believe it will shed some light on the subject I wish to discuss.

On the day I graduated from seminary, I had an appointment with the placement director. I guess I thought I knew more than I did, and I felt pretty cocky. I wondered what kind of mega-church he would set me up with.

Well, I got a surprise that day. While I didn’t like it one bit at the time, I learned an invaluable lesson. Mr. Benton suggested something that seemed crazy to me. Instead of a church where people would be hanging on my every word, he wanted me to volunteer.

I was upset to say the least, and I wondered why I went to school in the first place. I wish I could say that I found some quiet time with God and prayed about it, but instead I stormed away from him. Back then, I felt that his idea about where I could serve was absurd, and I wondered why he was the placement director anyway. But as I moved along in my own strength and felt all the normal bumps and bruises of life, I eventually had to admit that he had been correct.

So, I would like to pass on to you some lessons that I am continuing to learn, which have helped to humble me. I believe God allowed me to flounder around in my own strength, as I couldn’t learn these lessons from any book.

Every time I thought that I was moving ahead with my goals, it turned out that I would go back to square one. It was frustrating to say the least, because although I had been trained in ministry, I found myself sitting behind a desk. I worked in a lot of deplorable conditions, and I felt restless. But I couldn’t get a job anywhere else. I was also alienated from those I loved.

Fortunately, God was doing something that I wasn’t aware of at the time. He was faithful, and He used the experiences I went through to get me back on the right track. He guided me through a lot of trials in my life before the light bulb finally went on, but looking back, things that looked bleak in my life turned out to be blessings in disguise.

You see, I was too stubborn to learn them any other way, but when life seemed like a maze, I found that I was acting like the children of Israel had. In other words, I was running in circles, wandering through the wilderness of confusion. But when things began to sink in, I found out that I didn’t have to stumble around.

The first lesson that God wants to teach all of us is trust. Like Peter, we all take our eyes off of God sometimes, and we choose to focus on the circumstances around us. We often think we know what is best for us, but then we find out from His word that we are wrong. Through its stories and teachings, the Bible will lead us if we will study it.

God said that we will develop faith and trust in Him if we continue to meditate upon the text within its pages. God is a God of peace, and much of the anxiety we suffer is of our own making.

Secondly, don’t lean or depend upon your own understanding. Develop an intimate relationship with God through prayer, and as you bring your petitions before Him, be still as well. If you will Let Him speak to your heart in this way, He will straighten out your life. While this might not happen overnight, Jesus didn’t give up on me, and He won’t give up on you.

Thirdly, while life’s path is strewn with obstacles, God will continually clear them if we follow the above steps. All of us have been called to be conformed into the image of Christ. So, if you are going through some difficulties on your own, know that He wants to bless you. What He has for you is much more than you can comprehend.

God is challenging you to come to a new place where you pour your frustrations out to Him, so follow His TLC, finding real joy in His presence.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, you're always welcome to join our Monday night Bible study or Tuesday night prayer meeting. Both are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 712-775-7031, and our ID is 607518748. We hope to talk with you soon!

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.