This past Sunday our church celebrated the installation of me as their new Senior Pastor. It was a tremendous day filled with so many encouraging words, cards, gifts and let's not forget the food, WOW! Most of my family was with me to participate in the day and I simply could not have asked for more. As many have already heard me say, "It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!"
I enjoyed a day off on Monday and returned Tuesday morning bright and early to begin a new day of ministry. At 8:22 my plans for the day changed in an instant. I received a call from a church member informing me that her daughter and children had been in a car accident and someone was "critical."
The eight year old boy in the accident was no stranger to me. He had lived in our home in 2005 for a little less than 4 months. My wife had convinced me that God was calling us to care for him and love him as our own providing a necessary home for him at a time when his mom needed us. Little Mark was just precious and although it took more than a few weeks for him to adjust to our lives we soon began to see him smile and enjoy living with us. My own kids enjoyed him tremendously and so did Michi and I. One of my favorite memories is Mark filling his cheeks with air and then I would pop them as he blew the air into my face. He would giggle and laugh each time we did it. It was our little game. We enjoyed some special times together including Easter that year.
As I rushed to the hospital Tuesday morning, I said to myself, "I can't handle this if it's Mark who is critical." Somehow I just knew Mark was in serious trouble and as I entered the Emergency room doors my suspicions were confirmed as I was told he did not make it. My body literally stopped moving as my lungs deflated and my heart broke for the family. I collected my thoughts and readied myself to minister to the family. After all, I was their pastor and they needed me and I knew God would be with me to guide me.
Tomorrow, Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 11:00 we will celebrate Mark's life in a memorial service at our church. Our congregation has been very encouraging to the family and to me. There have been many people praying and I know they will continue to pray. There has been genuine concern for me and how difficult this will be on me. Some have said, "How will he ever get through this?" How do you go from the top of the mountain on Sunday to the depths of the valley on Saturday?
Well, please allow me to take a moment to share with you that My God Does Not Waver! Psalm 57:7 says, "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music." Like the Psalmist, I confide in God and my heart although broken remains firmly trusting in Him. You see my faith is not swayed by the events that have occured. Whether in the joys or in the the sorrows of life I will not doubt the goodness, mercy and grace of my God." My heart is prepared, and I am ready to praise him always.
Is it more difficult today then Sunday? Yes. Is it more challenging? Yes. Will it be easy tomorrow? Absolutely not! But God is my refuge and He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I know that sounds cliche but to me it is the absolute truth. My heart is steadfast on the salvation of Jesus Christ, grounded in His love regardless of what happens in this life. It always wil be, it has to be because that is my hope! There is promise that I will one day see Mark again in heaven because God loves his children. For those who have placed their hope in Him and trusted in His Salvation for the forgiveness of their sins their will be a happy reunion.
From Matthew Henry's commentary and I quote, "Let us seek to have our hearts fixed to praise his boundless mercy and unfailing faithfulness; and to glorify him with body, soul, and spirit, which are his. Let us earnestly pray that the blessings of the gospel may be sent through every land."
MY GOD DOES NOT WAVER!
