Seeking quiet serenity, I wandered through the open doors of a church of which I was not on the congregation member roll. I was in search of God and belonging to Him. Familiarity and fitting into a niche of attendees was not my focus. Seeing God in our world, not just in my small known corner of it, was my yearning. Sometimes Hope is most deeply renewed when new vision is received, instead of reviewing reflections we repeatedly perceive. Thus, my human hands and spiritual soul cracked open a new door.
Deliberately, I arrived early. I longed to experience more than a Sunday service. God had planted in me the seed of discovering His love, by taking a glimpse of His children who are strangers to me. What brighter way could there be to see God’s glowing reflection defying, and defeating, the dark despair etched across our wayward world? God had led me here. There was not a doubt in my being that God would reveal a mighty warrior who would affirm His reigning leadership, power and love are alive on earth and standing in our midst.
Not my eyes, but my heart, began to search for the sign, I knew, God would show me. Many crossed my gaze but were not God’s designated confirmation. However, before long, God’s proof that His leadership, power and love still reign hobbled into my sight.
He was an old man, probably mid 80’s – same age as Moses when called to lead God’s people. His skeleton was bent over in age, yet I unconditionally sensed the backbone of his character was wholly (and Holy) straight. He did not enter the House of his Lord empty handed. Protected within his palms was the priceless treasure God had entrusted to his care – his better half. It was obvious this sweet, life-long partner was but a fraction of the lady that he married; but this groom’s vows were as fervent as when they both first glided down the aisle to become husband and wife.
Long ago, in God’s name, he avowed to protect, lead, guide and be a powerful source of love in his spouse’s for better or for worse. Instinctively, I understood he was a man who humbly made his promise and proudly kept it.
Dementia erases memory, but this man of God was not going to let it blot out the here and now present of God’s presence. He led the love of his life front and center to the throne of God and sat her a stone’s throw from the altar of the rock upon whom their love was rooted.
This bewildered child of God needed constant aid to function. Some might judge her helpless. Instead, I witnessed leadership guiding the lost, power capable of overcoming earthly defeat and love born of God and, regardless of the war against worldly devastation, still flowering on earth.
Suddenly, my mind wondered. Are we looking the wrong places for faith and encouragement that God (and the love of God) still reigns (and rains) on our land, our lives and our loved ones? Quite possibly, the answer is, unfortunately, yes.
This week marks many moments when we will be challenged to decipher between the who’s of man’s controlling power and the WHOSE of God’s calling, power and purpose. They are not one and the same. Victors of a campaign are no substitute for God’s shepherd leading God’s sheep. Shepherds, like the elderly man leading the love of his life, must keep rising up to lead the loves of God’s life.
Walking out of that unfamiliar church, I heard God whisper: I have shown you the core from which, and through which, my leadership, power and love flow. My children are not to sit back and assume worldly, elected officials are bringing heaven to earth. Solely, it is my meager, humble, everyday flock of children whom I’ve commissioned to shepherd the way to bring My souls on earth to heaven.
Driving out of the church parking lot, with a chuckle, I whispered back to God: Since miracles are your forte, could you please change this old gray mare into an apprentice of Your Shepherd?!?!
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 