“In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9
Ah, the weekend is here; Saturday in North America; it’s frosty in Central Illinois. Have you ever looked at something and felt sad because you knew that you could help to improve whatever it was you were looking at? Sad to say, our government leaders seem to spend my taxes to ‘improve’ the lives of others while going deeper into debt. What my old weak eyes look at may seem pitiful because of my North American culture, but in fact may be a real blessing to others and more importantly may be a very intricate step in God’s plan for just a handful of lives who are needed to complete His plans.
The attached photo is of a preaching station in the Plateau Central and I am sad to tell you that I don’t recall the name of this location. I just recall having walked there because it was a half a mile on the other side of a creek that my truck could not drive through. It was usually that way back in the day, when making visitations; preaching stations were generally located on the other side of an impassable creek or deep ravine.
As you look at this photo you are probably thinking that ‘preaching station’ is akin to ‘temporary church’ and you would be correct. When the winds blow the branches move. The blue plastic that can be seen in the backside of this structure covers some of the worshippers and protects them on rainy days. When I would come back to North America on a furlough, I would typically purchase several blue plastic tarps to take back with me to Haiti and bring to preaching stations that would be on my next series of visitations.
You and I both know that all things in life are temporary. If life is going well; enjoy it as these times will not last forever. If things are not going well, don’t worry, they won’t last very long. God protects us and He protects them. The Holy Spirit works within us and within the people worshipping at this preaching station to accomplish His good and perfect will.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay