Many of you know that I have recently made some major
changes in my life. I have retired from full time ministry and moved across
country from California to Ohio. Our motor home, (in which we intended to live),
sustained damage which made it unlivable for the present. We are living with
family until that is corrected. If that weren’t enough I have now begun a new
job in a new field in which I have no experience. I have lots of management
experience, but not in this type of work. I am having to learn a whole lot
quickly to succeed in this endeavor.
When I thought about the new challenge before me I thought I
would check out the definition and here is what I found out about this
particular challenge. The definition of the word is: "to arouse or stimulate especially
by presenting with difficulties". Well, to say that I have been
stimulated by being presenting with difficulties would definitely be the truth
about my situation. At times I feel totally unprepared for the challenge.
I'm reminded of some bible characters, who faced similar
challenges. Men such as a shepherd boy named David, who became a giant slayer,
an army commander and king of the nation of Israel. I doubt that while he was
in the field with the sheep that he would have imagined that he would be a
king, much less kill a giant with a sling shot. He did however trust that God
was in control of all things and he believed that God can do whatever he wants
with whoever he wants.
Another man who changed careers was the man who became the
Apostle Paul. He was someone who fought with all of his heart and soul against
Christians. He never in his wildest dreams would have thought he would become
one himself. Yet he became one of the most influential Christians to have ever
lived. He realized why he was so changed and why he was so successful. That is
what he wrote the words of Philippians
4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
What is your challenge? Are you up to it? You may not be,
but God always is! And you can do all things through him who gives you
strength.
