How Did I Get Here?

October 13, 2022

How Did I Get Here?

A few days ago, I found myself in a more reflective mood.  I was grateful for many things; my wife, my family, and my health.  I gave thanks to the Lord God for our home (almost finished!), a possible new church home, and for retirement.

The more I thought about the “retirement” thing, the more I began to wonder, “How did I get here?”  My life is sometimes a curious thing; being a Christ-follower, being a pastor, and now being a retired pastor.  How did all of this happen?

I know on a spiritual level, the Holy Spirit has been guiding every step of my journey in faith, in ministry, and in life.  I have also learned the Holy Spirit often works through other people to guide us on the journey. 

I was ready to start the 2^nd Grade when my family moved from Dallas, Texas to Lincoln, Nebraska.  My parents rented a little house in south Lincoln, enrolled us in school, and started a new career. 

A short time after we moved into the area, a neighbor from down the street approached my father.  He introduced himself, inquired about the family, and then made a rather bold statement.  The neighbor said, “Jimmie, you need to get your boys in church!”

My father was not one to take a lot of advice from other people.  But, this time was different.  I believe the Holy Spirit was using our neighbor to guide my father and his family to church. 

My father listened to the Spirit and took action.  By doing so, my father created an environment for me to grow into a relationship with Jesus, develop my leadership gifts, and eventually hear a call to be a preacher.

Because my father listened to the Holy Spirit speaking through another person, I began to attend worship, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School.  That’s how I got to where I am today; my father listened to the Holy Spirit!

Elijah was an old preacher with a colorful past.  In a showdown on top of a mountain, Elijah killed 450 false prophets.  It is quite the show and a tremendous victory for the cause of God.

However, a powerful woman by the name of Jezebel is greatly offended by what Elijah has down; those were her prophets!  She vows to kill Elijah to avenge what he has done.  Rather than act like a person who the Lord God has been used to bring a victory for the Lord God, Elijah feels like a common criminal.

Elijah literally runs for his life.  When he is totally exhausted and overcome with fear, Elijah lies down in the wilderness and prays he can die.  Instead, the Lord God revives Elijah and sets him on a journey that will change his future.

Elijah runs for 40 days and 40 nights until he makes it to a cave on top of a sacred mountain.  There is wind and fire and an earthquake but there is no word from the Lord God to guide Elijah.  Finally, the Lord speaks. 

In Ezekiel 19:11-12 we hear; “Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.”

Elijah sat in a dark cave feeling alone and afraid, sad and confused.  I image he wondered, “How did I get here?”  Whether we are 16 or 36 or 56 or 86, we sometimes wonder how we have arrived at the place we are today.  Maybe it is the consequence of some bad choices.  But, maybe we are where we are today because the Holy Spirit has guided us. 

Sometimes the guidance we need comes through a neighbor or sometimes through something beautiful in nature.  Sometimes the guidance we need comes through reading the Bible or listening to a Christian song. 

And, sometimes the guidance we need comes in the sound of sheer silence on top of a mountain.  No matter what way the Spirit speaks to you, He will guide you on a journey that honors the Lord God. 

I invite you to consider the possibility the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.  Be still, be attentive, be open to the Spirit’s guidance.  When you do, your heart will be filled with delight.

Delight In The Lord!

Doug

P.S.  Invite someone you know to join our blog community this week.  It just may be an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to someone about whom you care.