By Joe Widick
I would imagine that all of us have asked that question before. What if….? (I even wrote a bulletin article about it in February). I know that I have had it go through my mind before. What if I had not been cut from that little league baseball team so many years ago, I could have been the next Mickey Mantle! What if I had tried a little harder in school I could have been a rocket scientist! What if I had not visited my friends house one night in September, I might have never met his cousin, Elaine. There all sort of what ifs in our life.
What if Joseph had succumbed to the advances of Potiphar’s wife? (Genesis 39). Imagine how he could have justified his sin. I can hear him say to God—“You don’t want me to be unhappy, and you know how lonely it is here. Besides I think I really love her” What if Abram had disobeyed when God told him to leave Ur and head for parts unknown? (Genesis 12). Can you not hear Abram say to God, “God I am established here. I can’t afford to risk everything on an uncertain future. I have to watch out for Sarai, this is where her friends are. I think I will stay.” Isn’t it comforting to know the rest of the story. To be able to praise God that Joseph and Abram did the right thing. Joseph fled temptation, he ran from sin. Abram left Ur; he journeyed in obedience to God’s will.
I believe in life, we find ourselves faced with both of these kinds of choices. Sometimes temptation rises up in front of us. When it does, we can either run and reap God’s rewards-or we can give in, and reap the sad consequences, and then make some sorry excuses. Sometimes we sense that God is leading us in a particular direction. We can choose either to follow Him and trust His omniscience-or we can offer flimsy excuses and live a life of disobedience. Prayerfully, we would all agree that the abundant life of godliness is far better than a life of excuses and despair. I believe that God does not demand of us success just obedience. When I find myself being obedient to God, I can live life to the fullest. What a terrible way to live ones life, day in and day out, always asking “What if…”
Let the road be rough and dreary
And its end far out of sight
Foot it bravely, strong or weary
Trust in God and do the right.
By Joe Widick
Guess what? I am getting older. I know and understand that that is part of life. Many things make me realize this reality. One I am blessed with grandchildren. It seems only yesterday that Elaine and I were dealing with raising our own children, now we have grandchildren to care for and worry about. A second reason is the fact that I have former students who now have teenage children. It seems like only yesterday that these former students’ most important concerns were who likes them, or what they were doing after the game. Finally, I know that I am getting older because when I looked at our recent family portrait there was someone in the center of the picture with graying hair and wrinkles. It wasn’t Elaine!
The reality of this is the fact that I am getting closer to end of life’s journey. I’m beginning to think more like a transient. I guess that is natural. Abraham first described himself as a “foreigner and a visitor” when he was buying a burial plot for his beloved Sarah (Genesis 23:4). Time and death make you think of such things.
Most elderly believers say the same thing. There is no home for us this side of heaven. Once we have caught sight of the Celestial city we can never be content with anything less. Like Abraham, we look for a city whose builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Both of my sons have enjoyed the works of J.R. Tolkien. They have been intrigued by the make believe world of the hobbits. One of the hobbits in the book The Lord of the Rings is Frodo. As he sets out on his great adventure he sings “Home is behind, the world is ahead.” That may be true in this fictional writing, but it is anything but true for us as Christians. The world is behind; our home is ahead.
There are no valleys of weeping there, for “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21: 4). Whenever I read these precious words, it makes the present journey so much easier to endure. To put it another way, it’s the hope of going home that keeps me and so many others going. Carlin reminds us of the reality of this each time he prays “Lord come quickly and may it even be right now.” Can we say that we can hardly wait to get there!
By Joe Widick
It is interesting the things one remembers. Growing up in west Nashville, I had the opportunity to be exposed to a lot of unique experiences. Some of my fondest memories are those that center around my Sunday school classes. I do not remember all the lessons, or the names of all the teachers, but I do know that they had an impact on me. Impressions were made that have stayed with me a life time. Most of those teachers may never know the impact that they had on my life as well as the lives of so many others. One of my favorite stories centered on the events in I Samuel 3. I can still hear the teacher reciting the young boy’s response to the call of God: “Speak, for your servant hears.” As a young boy, I wanted to be able to be like Samuel, and tell God that I too was listening. The question comes to my mind, do I still want to hear what the Masters says.
All of us need to be willing to hear the voice of the Lord. Each of us has that opportunity on a day by day basis. In the midst of life’s everyday activities we can take time to prayerfully read and study the Bible. You see, God’s Spirit communicates to us through the Word.
Thomas Kempis (1379-1471) wrote in his book Imitation of Christ; “Blessed indeed are those ears which listen not for the voice sounding without, but for the truth teaching inwardly. Blessed are the eyes that are shut to outward things but intent on things inward. Blessed are they who are glad to have time to spare for God, and who shake off all worldly hindrances. Consider these things, O my soul, and hear what the Lord your God speaks.”
I believe that if I am truly listening to what the Lord has to say to me, then I will find myself moved to be of more service to Him. I will find myself developing that heart of a servant that not only tells Him to use me, but to use me completely up. Service becomes a joy, a highlight in ones life. There are so many wonderful events and activities to be involved with at Maple Hill. Make a commitment that says “Speak, for your servant hears.”
By feeding on Your blessed Word, dear Lord
I will no longer weak and childish be;
And as I listen to your Spirit’s voice
May Christ like love and grace be seen in you.
Always remember that God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart. Are you and I listening?
