Chuck Swindoll is a world-renowned author and
preacher. By all reports, Pastor Chuck has an outstanding capacity to
impart practical wisdom and powerful inspiration into the lives of Christian
laity and leaders. However, he describes
an occasion of real ministry crisis. While speaking at a pastor's
conference he had a discouraging feeling of absolute failure. Although
those in attendance were quite engaged, seemingly clinging to every word, he
was overwhelmed by a deep sense of emptiness and frustration.
Sensing that God was trying to communicate something
significant, Pastor Chuck called four trusted friends to his home and gave them
this directive. “I want you to listen carefully to my life story and see
if anything stands out to you.” Beginning with his earliest memories, he
poured out his life story as friends listened attentively.
When he had finished, one of the friends followed up with a
few questions and then said, “Chuck, I want you to place your head on the table
and close your eyes.” Chuck complied willingly, laying his head on the
table in front of him and closing his eyes.
“Now, Chuck, I want you to imagine that YOUR FATHER is
holding you in his arms,” suggested his friend. “Now what do you feel?”
Almost instantly Chuck began to cry. For thirty
minutes he sobbed uncontrollably. You see, Chuck’s father had died when
he was just seven months old so he had no experience or recollection of a
father’s love. But as he closed his eyes that day, he felt the presence
of pure, profound, powerful and unconditional love.
At that moment, Chuck realized that although he had
preached hundreds of messages about God’s great love for us, he had never
personally felt the intimacy and warmth of that love. While his head lay
on the table that day he sensed, for the first time, that His Heavenly Father
truly loved him – deeply, completely and unconditionally.
By his own testimony, Chuck Swindoll and his ministry were
never the same again.
My friends, while I may be unfamiliar with your life
circumstances, I am sufficiently sensitive to the human condition to know that
each of us has experienced troubling times of doubt or despair. In our
heart of hearts, perhaps we have even wondered if God really cares because our
problems loom so large and we seem so small.
Here’s good news. In the words of the late Bishop J.
O. Patterson, Sr., “We have a FATHER who has never been accused of non-support.”
Phenomenal!
Occasionally, during our prayer time, Belinda and I were
led to cry out together to Him, “FATHER, FATHER, FATHER.” And before we rise
from our knees, we feel a deep sense of assurance that HE is forever present
and powerful – far greater than our ability to conceptualize or imagine.
In a word, OUR FATHER is absolutely awesome!
Sisters
and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU
ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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