Transformation through God's Word

Last night I was asked if I'd ever been in ministry. This morning reading John Eldridge's Walking with God I read where John was walking to a creek to fish. He'd seen it on a map, that it was off the beaten path and that he'd walk up a river to reach it. The river itself proved very beautiful and he fished it along the way, catching 6 really nice fish. When he reached the creek, his goal, he realized it was unfishable. He was very disappointed. He had walked all this way for nothing. John was upset.

Then he recalled a recent lesson. It's not what God isn't giving, it's what He is giving. The river was beautiful and fruitful. He enjoyed it and the fish he caught there along the way. God had provided the river, that was His provision.

The question was had I been in ministry at some point. I moved my family back to the Dallas / Fort Worth area to attend seminary in 2003. I assumed it might take a year or two for me to acquire a staff position. I had been doing some traditional and non-traditional ministry since 2001. For the last several years now I have been frustrated focusing on what God wasn't providing. I wanted to be on a church staff or some other full time role where I could focus on teaching God's Word.

These last three years our family navigated through the tragedy of my wife's cancer. In that tragedy God provided several ministry opportunities.

My friend and mentor Todd Phillips has been encouraging me along the way. Todd has emphasized it's not what God isn't providing, but what He is providing. Todd encouraged me to do the ministry laid before me, love my wife and daughter, and embrace what God is doing here in the now.

Several people who had been far from God were drawn close to Him. We got to watch this and were told by these folks that watching our situation unfold had inspired them. God used this situation to draw Stacie and I, Bai and I closer together. He used our family as a lamp in the lives of others.

Though we were aware of some of these situations I am certain there were others which we participated in completely unaware. Father, thank You for allowing us to be used in this way. Forgive me for not being satisfied with what You were providing. Help me to be content with whatever ministry you lay before me. Keep Bai and I close.