Day 43 - July 28 - Watching God at Work
What does God do when he works? What does it look like? How long does it take for him to get his job done?We typically see the end results of the work God does and we don't normally get to see him going about the business of actually doing the work. And yet at the same time we as followers of Christ believe that he is actively working through each of us in the lives of others, so in that sense we are privileged to see the work being done.
I'm reminded of my growing up with a Dad who loved to... tinker (for lack of a better word). I remember watching him work when I was barely old enough to lift a hammer. He would set me up in a corner of the workshop with a piece of wood and a dozen nails. He would often start the nails in the board and then hand me the hammer. I would go about the work he had for me, while he took care of the real job that needed his attention.
Between nails I would look up at him to see what my Dad was doing. Sometimes it was obvious what he was working on. Other times it was a complete and total mystery. Sometimes I'd forget about my nails and just watch. Other times the work looked boring or too hard and I would wander back to my nails.
I've been here for a week and today is my last day. I've been here watching what God is up to and there have been times when it makes sense to me and I forget about the hammer in my hand. There have also been plenty of times when his work is a complete and total mystery that I just don't understand.
There have been setbacks and there have been victories over the last week with Connor. From my corner of the workshop it all looks strange and mysterious. I don't know what God is working on... I don't have a clue. I don't know what he's building here, but I see him at work. And for now I'm just gonna have to trust him that he knows what he's doing.
Kent
Watching God's Mysterious Work in Fresno
posted by Kent C. Williamson @ 8:06 AM
11 Comments
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11 Comments:
Kent,
SO sorry you have to leave today, but your time here was used for God's glory. We ALL have to rememeber God IS answering our prayers. Perhaps with not the answers we want, or in our time, BUT He is still answering them in His way and His time. Do not get discouraged, but rejoice in what HE has done for His glory, not ours.
Now I do have to ask as many of us would like to know how to get one of those shirts you have in the beginning of your post! Can you do a bit of explaining on how we ALL can get a shirt and help with spreading the word.
MH Ca.
Thanks for a comforting, very well-written and thought-provoking post. God never sleeps or takes a break or becomes side-tracked! He is always working!
Dear Connor and Family, It is without doubt that God is at work in and through you. So many people are being touched by the mighty power of God through this blog ministry. Thank you for sharing your hammer and nails story. It is true, we all have nails in our lives, but do we trust and obey God's will for our lives through those times? I fail often! But thank God we have a Savior that has forgiven us yesterday, today and tomorrow. I will keep on keeping on in prayer for Connor and all of you! To God be the glory!
regarding the shirts I heard you can get them at Eternal Treasure in MH
Kent,
Thank you for this post! What a great word picture you've painted. :) I'll be praying for your safety as you travel back home.
As for the T-shirts, they're available at E-ternal Treasures in Morgan Hill. Lee and I are here. I can check into their shipping policies, who to call or send checks to, etc. And if ordering directly from them isn't an option, then I'll play middle-man, take orders and mail them out.
In His Service,
Jenann
God has built a mighty community in ConnorWatch. Hundreds (or thousands?) of people, united in prayer for Connor and his family...
God will continue to build as he heals Connor....Connor is at rest, building new and healthy cells...we trust in the Lord and His work, in His time. Perhaps He doesn't want this blog to end too soon....He loves to see how this group is growing in size, faith and love, with Connor as His tool.....
When I read your line from scripture, ironically in a devotional for today from Joel Osteen, this scripture was posted and his explanation:
“Do not cast away your confidence, for it carries a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seem like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It always seems darkest just before the dawn arrives. You serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise. While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory and it’s closer than you think!
Kent,
This was a great post. This is not the first "word picture" (as Jenann said) that you've given us. I still remember the story of the peachick taking shelter in its mother's wings during the storm. These provide a beautiful perspective on things. Please keep them coming even when you get back home.
So thankful that you could be here this past week for Eric, Cherié, Joélle and Connor. It was evident that your physical presence was such a blessing to them and I know that if you could, you'd be in two places at one time. Praying God's comfort for all of your family as you face these struggles separated by so many miles. Safe travel!!
Sherri
So Sorry you have to leave, but happy for the time you were able to lift spirits a bit.
I see that the Lord picked this family for this trial because not just any family would be passing the test as beautifully as this family, You have touched so many lives through your suffering and will be rewarded greatly when it really matters. I know it doesn't help the pain and the hurt but stop for a single minute and think about all the lives around this globe that are being changed and being made stronger in their walk with the Lord through Connor Watch. I stand back in awe and am amazed at what the Lord is doing through you only because you have allowed Him to use you. Thank you for being His Hands
God Bless, Praying In Downey
Dear Family, it seems every devotion today is calling out to you so here's another one
A Better Place to Be
by Jon Walker
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker –
Have you ever been somewhere you didn’t want to be? Maybe it was a job, a town, or a marriage. Maybe it was a stage in life, like singlehood, or a state in life, like a disability. It’s very possible that as you read this, you’re wishing you were somewhere else – anywhere else – living a different life, but you know it’s not likely that anything is going to change any time soon.
God has a word for you. It’s the same word he gave a group of people when they were stuck in another country, exiled from their homeland. They’d folded their arms and said, “We’re going to wait this thing out, and when we get home, we’ll start living our lives.”
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told them, “You’re not going home any time soon, so start making your lives here. Plant gardens, buy homes, let your children get married, and pray for the peace and prosperity of the place where you’re currently living because, by doing that, you too will be blessed with peace and prosperity” (Jeremiah 29:5-7).
Don’t invest your energy in hopes of leaving; instead invest your energy in the people around you. Don’t be physically present but mentally somewhere else, thinking of the future or the past, thinking of someplace else. Our journey with Jesus requires we be fully present in the present.
Purpose Driven Life
You may feel like you’re in exile too, but God is still working in your life; and his message to you is: Dig in and fully embrace the life around you.
Anonymous - and how great that reward is! Praise God!
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
According to the writer of Hebrews, Moses was looking way ahead to Christ and the reward (the same Greek word as in 10:35) He would bring. After all - Moses never crossed over into the Promised Land here on earth...
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