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I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Over and over again, this verse reverberates throughout my head. More and more I can feel the strength grow inside me. First a small knot in the pit of my stomach, then a warmth that spreads throughout my midsection. Finally I can actually feel a physical tightening of my chest and back muscles. It actually feels like a coat of armor being placed around me. My heartbeat quickens, my confidence soars. I am ready. It is time step out into the unknown. Time to be the man that God has called me to be. Time to strike out and put everything into God’s hands. Everything. Can I actually do that? Can I put everything I am into God’s hands? Sounds easy. But it is much harder that it seems. My innermost desire is to make my own destiny. Do things my way. Be famous for my deeds. Now I must come to realize that my ways are flawed, my deeds are just works in futility. Who I am does not matter anymore. The only thing that matters is that He is God and I am not.
A slight breeze stirs the leaves in the trees. The air carries with it a hint of the coming fall. A small gust finds it way down the back of my shirt causing me to shutter. Only a few more steps to the cold steel ramp. A cold drop of rain greets my cheek as I quicken my pace. Finally at the bottom of the ramp I pause. The rain has started coming down harder now. Looking over my shoulder I can just make out the faces behind the window through the rain. Family and friends who took time out of their lives to say good-bye. My knees start to grow weak. I physically start to tremble. Must be the cold rain. Or is it? Am I ready for this? Am I strong enough to leave all behind and venture out on my own like this? I thought my faith was strong. Doubt like a blanket starts to cover my minds eye. Voices of discouragement are ringing so loud in my head I wonder if anyone else can hear them. Suddenly, that verse comes back to me. Over and over again. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS ME. Immediately the doubting is gone as is the chill. A dozen of so hands are enthusiastically waving at me through the window. I kick my heels together, swing my body around to face them squarely, and with a straight back and a new strength I give them a hearty salute. I can do this. I know that times will be rough, that temptations will be there. But I do this knowing that Christ is with me. I gain a rush of confidence in knowing the fact that I have not done this on my own. Knowing I spent many hours in prayer over this. That many friends and family have also been praying for me, for God to provide me with wisdom and guidance. A flash of lighting brings me back. I can’t tell if my cheeks are wet from the rain or from the tears. Quickly I turn back toward the plane. Step by step I purposefully march up the stairs to the door. War is never a pleasant thing. But whoever said our God was a God of peace was mistaken. The Bible from start to finish is all about war. If not a war of good and evil then a war of us against God and his will for us. Many times God has used people to bring his word to us. And now, I get to be a part of that. I know in my heart there is a reason for this war. A reason for the killing, the heartache, the loss of loved ones. I know, that somehow God will use me to bring others to know of his love for us. Finally at the entrance to the plane I turn one last time and give a wave to all those who I leave behind. Bon Voyage. May God be with you.
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