"Go at throttle up"

Before today's reflections, a brief seminary report. The first term was completed in May, and I'm taking the summer off from studies, to accomplish some paperwork for the Ordination process, in addition to other ministry activities.

What is so spiritually profound lately is how God has put people and situations in my path to teach me valuable lessons for whatever future ministry venues He has in mind. I couldnt even begin to explain all of these situations, but they involve pastoral-like counseling and servant-like duties that I've never encountered before in my 40+ years as a Christian! The more I pray and become close to God, the more He reveals things. I'm telling you, Jeremiah wrote the words of the Lord emphatically in JER. 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart."

The incredible truth is that what God has in mind for you and me far exceeds our comprehension. We are like an astronaut (I was an astronaut wanna-be) who is sitting in the space shuttle with 6 million horsepower under us, but we are barely pressing the engine throttle past idle. Even in the midst of turmoil, discontent, ailments, frailties, and the like, God can and will use everything in the life of His children for good. What we fail to realize sometimes is that "the good" may not even be visible to us, or may happen at some future point. The truth is that "the good" WILL happen because God says so!

As I continue in ministry preparations, the valleys continue to come and go, but there are also "hilltops" (I sure could use more of those). I was out under the stars one night at 4 AM, and opening my heart up to God. I was a little let down at the time, and His comfort filled my heart as I prayed. I heard Him in my heart say, "you see these stars, they are right where they were when everything was going well for you; now they are still right where I put them, even though "your world" seems a bit in turmoil". I am comforted by that. Now its time, beloved, to go ahead and push the spiritual throttle up, because there is a whole lot more than six million horsepower waiting to be released through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, to the glory of God and in His service. You might say, "George, you're going too far with this analogy, talking about what God wants for us and wants to do with us". Really? I will bring to your attention I Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written (quoting from Isaiah 64:4) Eye has not seen or ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for them that love him." If you read the context of that verse, you will see that Paul is not just talking about heaven, but also the reality of the present.

Of course, the reception of these promises is based on acceptance through faith of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and faithfully abiding in Him and His Word. Then, by living in faith in the words written in Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". In space shuttle terminology.. "they will be "go at throttle up".

I'll close this entry with the Words of Paul which support this reflection for today:
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Eph 1:18-19).

Blessings always!
George