a spiritual oasis

While working for his former employer, a Christian friend of mine had an extremely high pressure job. One Wednesday evening, I asked him how he was doing. He responded, “This day has been a long week.”

Have you ever had a day like that—a day when it seemed as though nothing was going right? Like the homeowner in Maui I read about. He was told by the fire investigators that the cause of the blaze which destroyed his home was a short in the newly installed fire prevention alarm system. He responded, “This is even worse than last year, when someone broke in and stole my new security system!”

Have you ever had days when, no matter how hard you tried, you just could not seem to make yourself understood? Life is that way, isn’t it? Sometimes it seems as though we just can not catch a break. We experience misfortune and are misunderstood. When we are caught in the whirlwind of the events, they are not comical, either. Often, the circumstances are momentous challenges to our faith and faithfulness. Make no mistake about it, in life we will experience some tremendous disappointments and heart-jarring hurts. It is at these times that we are faced with a crucial decision. How will we respond?

There are any number of possibilities. In the long run, though, it seems that we have two choices. We will either choose to get better or to get bitter. The road of bitterness is dark and lonely. The road of betterness is well lit and secure. On this road we meet our Savior and hear His encouraging words, “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“ In Christ we are triumphant, indeed! Let’s be of good cheer!

This reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Fernando Ortega. Here are the lyrics:

Take Heart, My Friend

Take heart, my friend, we’ll go together

This uncertain road that lies ahead

Our faithful God has always gone before

And He will lead the way once again

Take heart, my friend, we can walk together

And if our burdens become too great

We can hold up and help one another

In God’s love, in God’s grace

Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us

As He has been all the days of our lives

Our assurance every morning

Our defender in the night

If we should falter when trouble surrounds us

When the wind and the waves are wild and high

We will look away to Him who rules the waters;

Who speaks His peace into the angry tide

He is our comfort, our sustainer

He is our help in time of need

When we wander, He is our Shepherd

He who watches over us never sleeps

Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us

As He has been all the days of our lives

Our assurance every morning

Our defender every night

Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us

As He has been all the days of our lives

Our assurance every morning

Our defender in the night.

© Bill Williams
(for my buddy Ed)
2008.07.14

I had just finished speaking about living with no regrets. A gentle-spirited, older woman approached me. She was complimentary. She was not, however, her normal, cheerful self. She wore a worried expression on her face, which I was not accustomed to seeing there. So, I asked if there was something she wished to discuss.

“Well,” she said, “I agree with you that we should try to live without regrets. This is certainly the right thing to do. But, I think you should have included a thing or two in your talk about what we should do with our regrets. Everyone has regrets, you know?”

Now, I knew this woman fairly well. I knew her to be loved and respected by, well, everyone. I couldn’t imagine what she regretted that was troubling her so.

I attempted to sidestep the matter and change the subject. I don’t know why I did this. Perhaps I just assumed she was being overly sentimental, or something. She would have none of this. It was confessional time.

Right there in the lobby, with scores of people standing around, she discretely said, “Even though I don’t really recall thinking of it in these terms, I have tried to live my life with no regrets. But, I’ve made some pretty big blunders and have had to do my share of repenting and apologizing. So, I guess, I don’t really regret those things—the glaring things, you know?

I nodded.

She continued. “I trust that God has forgiven me for these things.”

“So,” I asked sincerely, “What is it that you regret?”

She replied, “One thing in particular. I think I regret it so much, because it’s too late now to do anything about it.”

Her eyes fell from mine and her shoulders sank. She seemed to be studying the texture of the carpeting on the floor. My mind was racing. I remember thinking: What could this dear soul have done that could not be undone?

She relieved my curiosity when she looked up and said, “If I could re-do one thing in my life, I know what it would be. I would be nicer to my husband. But, it’s too late now.”

We both knew what she was talking about. Her husband had been dead just over a year. I had helped her family bury this beloved man, to whom she had been married for more than 50 years.

I gave her a warm embrace and assured her that her husband loved her as deeply as any husband could ever love his wife. She agreed. Then she said, “I just wish I had not been so hard on him. We had a good marriage, for the most part. But, I’m afraid that I took advantage of his good nature. I never made anything easy, that’s for sure. I wonder what kind of man he would have been if he hadn’t had to put up with so much from me.”

Someone called her name. She gently touched my arm and thanked me for listening to an old woman’s woes. Then she went on her way. We never talked about the subject again. But, I’ve thought about it often.

What a thing to regret! It is something she could have so easily changed, if only she had decided to do it before it was too late. As I get older and see more of my friends and family members lose their loved ones, I think of this more often. Just the other day, when I was thinking about this gentlewoman’s confession another memory flashed through my mind.

I remembered the words spoken to me by the college roommate of one of my friends. We were more than just acquaintances, but not close friends. His name was Monty and he spoke two words which caught me by surprise, the first time I heard him say them. These words were: “Be sweet!”

He said this often. These two words were his usual parting exhortation. On one occasion, we were together at a fast food restaurant. I remember it as though it was yesterday. Monty offered thanks for our tacos and chalupas. Then he prayed, “Lord, help us to be sweet.” Well, maybe my memory isn’t as clear as I thought it was. I can’t remember the rest of the prayer. Really, I don’t know if I could have told you the rest of what he prayed immediately after he said the “amen”. Two words crowded everything else out.

His request was so simple—so basic—so unpretentious—so innocent—so pure—so sweet! Now, Monty was a manly man. No one would ever have thought of him otherwise. Yet, there he was unashamedly encouraging us to be sweet. More than that, he asked God to help us be sweet.

Monty was on to something! He was teaching us an important lesson about living in community with no regrets. It’s simple: Be sweet. There are so many verses that speak to this. There are the exhortations to kindness found in such passages as Ephesians 4:32 and Titus 2:5. But, the verses that really resonate with me are those found in 1 Corinthians 13. No doubt, we’ve heard these words hundreds of times: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” Most of the ideas reflected in these verses could be summarized under the heading: God wants us to be sweet.

The difficulty we face, when it comes to living into the vision cast by such passages isn’t with knowing what we should do. The difficulty is, instead, with deciding to do it. Sometimes, it’s deciding to keep doing it.

Here’s where I think the two stories I’ve shared intersect. Our older sister teaches us that it’s usually not the big things we regret. They weigh on us so heavily that we tend to them. For example, if we blow it big time, our mistakes are so glaring that we can’t ignore them, even it we don’t want to face them.

On the other hand, it’s often the less obvious things—the things that happen out of view—that we push aside. For example, no one wants to treat other people badly. Well, I have known one or two that were bent this way. But, generally speaking, we want to treat others with love and respect. But, we are creatures of habit who sometimes develop bad habits, like forgetting to “be sweet.” So, every now and then, we need a Monty in our lives. We need someone who is strong enough to humbly ask God to help us be sweet. Otherwise, we might live to regret it.

© Bill Williams
2008.07.12

Contemplating the significance of life…

Well known 19^th century American philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote many things about the human experience. One rolls off of my lips often, because it seems to summarize his philosophy regarding life most succinctly. By now, many of you know what it is. Thoreau stated: The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation.

While there is no shortage of desperation in our world, with certain people groups having more than their share and others seeming to have less, it appears that on the whole our lives consist more of just regular, ordinary sorts of things which are necessary for daily existence.

While many search for the one idea, cause or purpose which gives these simple things meaning most of our days are filled with the regular rather than the regal. So, we ask: Is it possible for the mundane to become a marvel and a wonder? Is it possible for the ordinary to take on extraordinary significance?

I suggest that it is. In fact, I lean more towards insisting that ordinary lives, when lived for God, become extraordinary. Living for God is the primary requirement, too. It is in living for God that the simple becomes sublime—the ordinary becomes extraordinary. A couple of passages seem to highlight this idea:

(1) Matthew 5:13-16, “¹³You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

(2) Colossians 3:23-24, “²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

From Ordinary to Extraordinary…

This point is powerfully illustrated in the life of one of our sisters-in-Christ. Because she comes to us from India, I wanted to learn more about how she came to know Jesus and become part of His kingdom. I’ll have to confess that what she told me shined a bright light on some of my biases and preconceived notions. I had assumed there would be an extraordinary set of circumstances involved in her story. This did not turn out to be the case. She gave me permission to share her story with you so that we might appreciate how God worked in her life to guide her safely into the family of God. Her life story is actually an illustration of how God uses “ordinary things” to achieve extraordinary results.

Here is an excerpt from the email she sent on October 31, 2005:

Good Morning Bill,

Well I was born and raised in a christian family. My Grand parents were christians and so are my parents. The Church Minister of the Church of Christ back home constantly reminded and asked me when I would get baptised every week he visited. I finally agreed cause I didn’t wanted him to ask me anymore and also I was well aware that its only through baptism I receive the Holy Spirit.

I did not get baptised with this urge inside to become Gods Child and to be like Jesus. I was as before after my baptism. Sunday christian, no difference in my behaviour (as there was not much besides school,church and home) etc. When my kid brother was asked by my parents to think abt Baptism 1.5 yrs after I got, he asked one thing which first me think abt being a CHRISTIAN in a deeper sense and it was “tell me how better Suma got after baptism”. he repeatedly asked whomever asked him to get baptised.He asked this cos I was no better handling the situations when my brothers and I fought.I fought, gave bad names, angry for days…typical sibling rivalry..

And then during my Bachelors my mom got sick with her Kidney problems and Dad went almost bankrupt by trusting a friend and lending him huge money.I observed how God worked wonders in a span of 4 years helping us have a consistent health to mom (problem in her kidneys didn’t deteriorate) and Dad. The church, my parents prayed for the problem and witnessed God bringing betterment in the situations. The church had been incredibly supportive.

After I came to USA, I met people from church who are so kind and loving.When I prayed in times of need , God helped me. All these remind me to be thankful and prayerful to God not only in times of need or Sundays but ALWAYS. Being with Dagnans and Cedars, I see how people are warmly and affectionately welcomed for just one reason that we are all brothers and sisters in HIM. It helps me be kind and helpful too.

So like any other chirstian, mine is a regular story. I am constantly trying to develop the nature to accept any situation good or bad (Esp. bad) as God’s Plan for me and pray for His help to face it. I still see God helping Mom with her health and rest of my family each day. I also see how God helps me when I pray for any situation at work.

Thanks for the prayers for my Mom. Pray for me and others who need help with spiritual growth.

In His Love,

Suma

Extraordinary results from ordinary circumstances…

Her life consists of some fairly “ordinary” life-circumstances. These seem to have ended in extraordinary results. It doesn’t matter what hemisphere we are in, either. Suma’s only hesitancy in permitting me to share this was a concern that the emphasis would be on a person rather than God. It is clear, however, that the ordinary became extraordinary, because God was active in her life through these circumstances. Because God is the focus of her life, God is glorified through her life. A few of the things in her experience were/are:

(1) She was raised in a Christian family where she saw faith, friendship, fellowship, failure and forgiveness in action.

(2) She was encouraged by caring Christians to begin her walk with the Lord and continues to experience encouragement from many sources in her journey of faith.

(3) She learned how much of an impact her spiritual walk had on others, especially those close to her like her brother.

(4) She learned how to trust God through difficult times and found God to be faithful in all things.

(5) She learned that walking by faith and not by sight is the essence of what it means to be a child of God.

There are many other things, of course. Hopefully, our sister Kollabathula’s email will prompt us all to give this idea some though.

- What sublime things is God doing through your life?

- How is God shaping you in such a way that extraordinary results are coming about through the ordinary events of your daily life?

- How is God using your life to bring about extraordinary things through the ordinary ways you are interacting with other people in our daily lives?

© Bill Williams

June 30, 2006

A friend who lives in a distant land occasionally does battle with feelings of insignificance and despair. He once stated publicly that he didn’t know why he tried to do anything of consequence, since it seemed like nothing he ever did turned out right and nobody even seemed to care.

I quickly responded as forcefully and concisely as I could in the moment, stating the following:

You are loved by One who has an unquenchable love for you and wishes to lift you up and see you through any and all of life’s struggles.

Additionally, I shared a few passages of Scripture with him. I encouraged him to remember John 3:16; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 John 4:7-12 and Romans 8.

As I reflect on these words, I am wondering: 

• How do you respond when your friends become ensnared by negative thoughts?
• What words of encouragement do you send their way?
• What Scriptures do you remind them of, which you hope will boost their spirits?

Just wondering,
-bill

Another Independence Day is upon us. Families all over the nation are making their way to lakes and parks and beaches. Picnics and barbecues and fireworks displays will be enjoyed millions.

Each year, when I listen to the speeches and watch the parades, I am moved with a strong sense of gratitude that America has long been the home of the free and the brave. I am deeply grateful for all who have given so much to secure and sustain our freedom. I do feel fortunate that America is my home sweet home.

A concern usually surfaces as well. You see, in my estimation, we Americans tend to inaccurately assume that the spiritual relationship between God and Israel that is reported in the Old Testment exclusively correlates with that of God and the United States. While I am thoroughly convinced that God is interested in the life of our nation, as God is concerned about the affairs of all people and all nations, I do not believe this is an exclusive matter.

There is an important principle to keep in mind: As I understand it, the spiritual kingdom of Christ corresponds to God’s holy nation of old. This is clearly stated by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter who wrote: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

I hasten to reiterate that this does not mean God is unconcerned about our nation. Indeed, reading the prophets make it clear that God involves Himself in the affairs of all nations. A proverb sets this forth succinctly: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Perhaps the foregoing helps us understand why emotions often surge when people hear Irving Berlin’s classic song “God Bless America.” Berlin, who immigrated to America from Siberia in 1893, introduced this song to the world on Armistice Day in 1938.

As the first line intimates, war was on the horizon in Europe. A somber atmosphere blanketed the western world. While Berlin’s lyrics acknowledge this, they also offer hope. This hope emerges not from individual or collective strength. I derives, instead, from a solemn prayer from Irving Berlin’s hand. A prayer that we share today:

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. “God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Happy Independence Day! Be safe!!

© Bill Williams

2008.07.04

For the last two weeks my wife (Telesa) and our two youngest children (Benjamin and Abigail) have been on a mission trip to Honduras. They are scheduled to return early Sunday morning. I’ll try to share some of the highlights of the trip next week. In the meantime, here is a link to a few pictures from the trip:

Honduras mission trip photographs on Windows Live Spaces.

One sunny afternoon I went to the bank to make a deposit. There was only one teller on duty at this small branch. The line was long. I waited patiently for the five people who were in front of me. It seemed to take forever for each one to do his or her business.

Finally, my time arrived. With her usual cheerful countenance, a teller named Connie said, “Next.”

I stepped to the window. I handed her my deposit. She counted the cash in typical bank teller fashion. After the second time her nimble fingers worked their magic on my $20 bills, she looked at me and said, “You’re one short.”

Instantly, I thought I knew what had happened. Earlier, I had tucked the deposit under the sun visor in the car. When I pulled it out, one of the $20’s must have gotten stuck and separated from the deposit.

Regardless, my time waiting in the line had been wasted. Not only would I have to return to the car to find the missing money, I would also have to wait in line once again. GRRRR.

When I returned, I was glad to see that only one person was ahead of me. An elderly woman who could barely see over the counter was standing at the window transacting her business. I heard her tell Connie in a shaky voice that she had gotten lost on her way to the bank. She said it took her over an hour to find the place. She then asked if Connie could tell her the best way to get back home. Connie said, “I’m new here. Even if I wasn’t, I’m terrible at giving directions.”

The dear woman’s shoulders drooped. Even though I was standing behind her, I could see the expression of concern on her face. Connie’s eyes met mine. A look of concern was on her face. I spoke up and told them both that I would help this woman find her way home. Connie was relieved. The woman quickly stepped aside to let me conduct my business. But, she didn’t go far. She was like a scared little child who didn’t want to get too far from her daddy.

Connie deftly handled my deposit. The older woman and I were soon out the door. I was able to give her simple directions back to a place with which she was familiar. All she needed to do is make one right turn and then one left turn on to a road that would take her to familiar environs within 10 minutes. She would be parked in her garage within 15 minutes.

She was so grateful. I was humbled. We went our separate ways. As I drove towards home, I remembered something my wife and I have often discussed. We are agreed that not everything that happens to us is for us. I had just experienced this.

God had a job for me. It wasn’t a big job. It hardly required any effort at all. But, it did make a big difference in this woman’s life. She was probably praying about her predicament the whole time she searched for the bank. God had her answer all worked out. His Spirit was working inwardly in me was producing the fruit of patience necessary for His servant to be in the right place at the right time. All I had to do was walk my talk and I would be right where God wanted me to be in order to help this dear woman find her way back home without incident.

Why was I so humbled by this? Well, I almost blew it. For a moment, while I was standing behind this woman, the thought that crossed my mind was something like, “I don’t need this. I might have to drive several miles out of my way just to lead this woman back to her neighborhood. I’m in a hurry. I have places to go. I have important things to do. Keep quiet, Bill. It’s really none of your business, anyway.”

When the trembling hand of this dear woman touched my arm as she was thanking me for taking the time to help an “old woman,” I knew I’d done the right thing. I’m glad the Spirit of God guided my steps in the pathway of righteousness. I’m glad God used me to help this dear soul that day.

I’m wondering how many opportunities like this I’ve missed in the past, because I was not walking in step with the Spirit. Does anyone else ever have similar experiences?

© Bill Williams
2008-06-26

We encounter change in our world every day. We are changing, as well. Amidst so much shifting — so much change — we often find ourselves groping for something solid to hold on to, some solid place upon which we can stand. This can be quite challenging. When it comes to facing life’s challenges, three passages immediately come to mind.

The first has to do with the many daily choices we make which result in changes in our life’s direction. The words of Jesus provide great insight. At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said the following:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  —Matthew 7:24-27

The second relates to the challenges we face in life which leave us reeling and wondering how we will make it through dark days which lie ahead. We sometimes feel like we are making these decisions “in the blind.” We really don’t know what lies ahead, but we must choose which path to take. At times like these I take refuge in the words of confidence and conviction expressed by the prophet David. In Psalm 23 the sweet psalmist of Israel stated:

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The third passage speaks to the times in which our strength is weak and our spirits are flagging. At times such as this God speaks to our hearts through the conviction of the prophet Isaiah. His convictions are expressed as follows:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —Isaiah 40:28-31

May God richly bless you and give you strength as you face life’s challenges.

© Bill Williams
2008.06.20

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
Planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
Proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no
wickedness in him.—Psalm 92:12-15 NIV

Pause for a moment, before you read the following lines. Think of the most beautiful person you know. Do you have someone in mind?

Now, continue to read. If you are like most people who really think about it, you realized that beauty is more than physical appearance. You probably thought of someone who is beautiful, not so much for what they look like, but for who they are—what they do—what they stand for.

Still, we wonder, “How much money is spent each year by men and women alike in an effort to spruce themselves up—to make themselves beautiful?” The figure would likely to be staggering. It would probably dwarf the amount spent by the Christian community each year to care for the needy or share the Good News. It appears that people, generally speaking, want to be beautiful! Sadly, however, it seems that many do not understand the nature of real beauty.

What is more beautiful than a young child happily singing a spiritual song learned from a godly Bible class teacher? What is more beautiful than a family sitting down together for a meal, which has been lovingly prepared by a wife and mother (who, by the way, IS to her family the most beautiful woman in the world)? What is more beautiful than teenagers living godly lives, in spite of the fact that pressure from peers to do otherwise is incredible? What is more beautiful than a cup of cool water given in the name of Jesus? What is more beautiful than a hug around the neck or pat on the back, which is given to encourage a brother or sister in Christ? What is more beautiful than a family of Christians working together to serve those with special needs in their community? What is more beautiful than the feet of those who bring good news?

You see, there is a type of beauty that cannot be seen in a vanity mirror or through a camera lens. There is beauty that transcends even the most picturesque mountain scene imaginable. There is a kind of beauty that will endure when all other beauty has faded. It is real beauty! This beauty is not painted on the surface. Instead, it is the beauty of a life being lived in harmony with the will of God. It is the beautiful fruit of righteousness, which is produced by those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. It is beauty from within!

© Bill Williams
2008.06.16

The Gospel is astonishingly good news! In Romans 10:13 we read: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This quote from Joel 2:32 serves as a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole (a synecdoche, to be precise). It speaks of a person’s acceptance of Jesus as Messiah and surrender to His lordship over his or her life. While not specifying the details, it affirms that everyone who does so will be saved! Amazing!

This assertion is followed (Romans 10:14-15) by four piercing questions:

• How can they call on the One in whom they have not believed?
• How can they believe in Jesus, if they have not heard of Him?
• How can they hear about Jesus, if no one preaches the Gospel to them?
• How can preachers preach, unless they are sent?

These questions have led Christians of all ages to marvel at the majesty of our mission! Paul summed up this section with a quote from Isaiah: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! To call on the Lord and be saved, people must believe in Him. Such belief is predicated upon hearing the Good News. In order for people to hear the Gospel it must be proclaimed openly and published widely. This not only requires storytellers and publishers, but, also, those who are willing to send them forth to this noble task. What a majestic mission!

Could the logic be more clear? No. But, Paul does not have mere academic ends in view. He is not attempting to train readers as logicians. His purpose, in no small part, is to persuade Jesus’ followers to recognize what a truly fabulous trust God has given us.

Although relatively few will stand before a public gathering proclaiming the message, we all are part of sending the Gospel throughout the world! The feet of those who bring the Good News are beautiful—not just because of the content of the message—but, also, because they represent the dedication of the body of Christ to the plans and purposes of God.

The feet of those who bring good news are beautiful to those who are crying for relief. They are also beautiful to God. For each person who goes forth represents a host of senders. So, whether we proclaim the message or provide the means for others to do so, we are all instruments in God’s hands through whom the astonishingly good news is spread. To know we are on mission with God is to know the majesty of our mission.

© Bill Williams
2008.06.12