 “Disappointed with Small Beginnings?” “The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 |
Dear family of friends,
Disappointments happen to each of us. We work long and hard for a special event, a needed life change, a relationship gone sour needing to be rebuilt…and yet we so often experience hurt and frustration when it doesn’t happen the way we had hoped. And even expected the way it should have.
Then we want to blame God, while asking the question which often haunts many, “Why God?”
It happened to me again. But by this time I had learned not to question the One who loves, the One who cares, the One who I know had asked me to do something, and so I did. It didn’t turn out the way I had expected, or at least had hoped it would. But then after many starts and finishes now, you get back up and go on. Persistence will pay off if we don’t quit.
When only eight people showed up for the event (and five were from my own family), for which I had been planning for months, and had spent time, energy and money on while expecting at least 30-50, I was truly disappointed. As I sat there on the table, before the cars would start pulling up, after the final two hour long decorating and other preparations had been done, I fought against that which I knew wanted to attack me.
Disappointment. Rejection. The lying voice whispering, “You really didn’t hear His voice, did you?”
Several times over the years, I knew that I knew - in my “knower” as one Bible teacher used to say – that I had heard the Lord, did what He asked, and then didn’t get the expected results. At least not at the start.
Whether it involved a ministry job change, a major move for the family, a purchase of great value, or sharing a word with someone and then getting some backlash, it took time before the real purpose of the Lord was understood and the promise fulfilled.
I have learned, after much practice of course, that His ways are not our ways. He led Moses to the Red Sea, with what seemed to be an impossible way of crossing, after leading the Hebrews out of bondage. Joshua had to march his army around a stronghold city seven times. What was he thinking after the 6th lap? Daniel was placed in the lion’s den. Did it at any time first cross his mind, “If only I had obeyed the king and avoided this.”
Really God? Is this how you operate?
I have learned, after much practice of course, that His ways are not our ways. He led Moses to the Red Sea, with what seemed to be an impossible way of crossing, after leading the Hebrews out of bondage. Joshua had to march his army around a stronghold city seven times. What was he thinking after the 6th lap? Daniel was placed in the lion’s den. Did it at any time first cross his mind, “If only I had obeyed the king and avoided this.”
Really God? Is this how you operate?
It sure is. They were able to face that because of the lessons they committed themselves to learn in the long process leading up to that point.
The Lord God Almighty wants to teach us to simply obey His word first. He wants us to step out and do what we believe He has called us to do. The results are to be left in His hands; not in our well planned out ones. As we learn to walk through that which we face today, the bigger giants yet coming will be looked at with faith and courage too.
The Lord God Almighty wants to teach us to simply obey His word first. He wants us to step out and do what we believe He has called us to do. The results are to be left in His hands; not in our well planned out ones. As we learn to walk through that which we face today, the bigger giants yet coming will be looked at with faith and courage too.
It may be years before we realize that the seed planted in the dirt will become a mighty tree, or the word spoken to that person will long settle in their spirit, and they become the next Billy Graham.
(Photo by Steve Martin - in Charlotte, NC)
The Lord is not short on time, or bringing about His planned purposes. He knows the beginning from the end. After all, He IS the Father of time, the Creator of all things. And His plans and purposes will come about, even as He truly has spoken. After all, Jesus (Yeshua) rose from the dead, proving that He is true and we can eternally believe His word.
Take courage in hearing His voice. Don’t give up or allow disappointments in small beginnings to keep you from seeking the Lord with your whole heart, mind, will and emotions. He is the Rewarder, and you will see the good results.
It just takes a little more time.
Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
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Ahava Love Letter #67 “Disappointed with Small Beginnings?” ©2013 Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (08/11/13 Sunday at 7:30 am in Charlotte, NC)
All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:
Here are the last few:
Rise Again (#66)
The Cities (#65)
How can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)
Anxious (#63)
Hidden (#62)
Get Back in the Boat (#61)
Need Money? (#60)
Rejected? (#59)
In Your Building – Guard Against Distractions (#58)
Connections (#57)
Your Name (#56)
Lost, But Not Forgotten Friends (#55)
The eight who came! (L-R) Faithful friends Sandra McCain, Josh Martin (our oldest son), Susan & Mike Greene (blessings on ye heads!), Logan Martin ( a fun-loving grandson - in front), Laurie Martin (my good wife!), Dylan Joy and Logan Martin (grand kids whom we love!)
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