I was on the phone today with a Pastor from India. We were having a serious conversation about our upcoming outreach project in Mumbai in October. While in deep conversation with him I saw something odd run past the doorway. It was bigger than our cat yet smaller than one of our horses. It wasn't until I saw Gracie run fter this object yelling "Get back here Billy" that I completely understood the situation and "what" the running object had been. Billy had pushed his way into the house (at leat that is the story I was told by Grace) and was having a hay day exploring this vast new land. I was stumlbing for words to explain to the Pastor as I was trying to muffle the phone to yell at Grace to "CATCH THATGOAT". It was pandemonium! Billy finally ran to where I was, exhausted and lost. He was shaking with fear and my anger quickly turned to compassion. What I percieved as a "joy ride" was really a "I'm lost and can't find my way back home".
It reminds me of the perpetual state many people live in these days. On the outside it looks like they have the world by the tail, but if they stop long enough for you to get a good look at their heart, you find someone scared and lost. God has crossed my path with a few such people this summer. People empty by their longing for love or confused over their lack of happiness when everything around them tells them they've got it all. I have even spoken with some friends who are believers, yet don't know what it feels like to live in the joy of the Lord.
My encounter with Billy today was a sad reminder of the state of the human heart. Scared, confused, empty... Is there an answer? As your friend, I can honestly tell you there is only one answer. That answer is Jesus. It's not in a church pew, or a Bible study group, or even at the feet of a Pastor. Though those things are good and can help you to grow in your faith walk. They are not THE answer. The answer is in a deep, personal, and committed relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the fullness and embodiment of everything we need to make our life fullfilling and complete.
So friend if your feeling like Billy today, not sure of where you are or where you are going, I encourage you to cry out to the Savior, Jesus. He is waiting to take your hand and lead you into His throne room of grace and love. Believe me, that is one JOY ride you will never want to come to an end.
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us...
Hebrews 6:18-20 The Message
4 comments:
Oh, my! What a stitch. Billy the Kid slashing through your house on his way to the gunfight at the corral.
Good going on the blog!
Lonna, congratulations on starting a blog. It looks great! I loved your story about Billy. You are so right that so many are lost inside, despite the cofidence they seem to display outwardly. Thanks.
Hi Lady Lonna, Love the blog!!!as well as Kevin's naming "Billy the Kid", I praise our precious God for the spiritual eyes He's given you, Lonna...straight to the heart of those in front of you...person or "Billy the Kid"!
Much Love, Katy
PS I love you! and thanks to your spiritual eyes...so do others!
It's me, unanonymous, Katy again! Praising God for your seeing eyes even with "Billy the Kid".
Don't know where to put this...but here seems ok...from our meeting at retreat for Centralia Nazarene Women and instantly knowing you as my Sister in Christ...the thing you said that sticks in my heart and soul as you told your not so lovely testimony...was your crying out to God, "Can you see me?" through out your testimony...Praise His Holy Name! He saw you and now other women see His Son in you. Thank you, Lonna for following His call to you!
Post a Comment