Great Men of Faith had to go Through a Wilderness too!
Happy New Year! I hope each of you had a Merry Christmas as well. Most of us are beginning to think about our New Year’s resolutions. But before that happens, may I suggest setting aside some time to reflect on the coming year?
A wise person once told me, “If you don’t know the past and study history, then you are destined to repeat it.” Each of us has had a year filled with both good and bad events. There are some things we’d like to erase from history if we could. Sadly, they can’t be erased, and we can’t redo anything. But we can learn from them, while all the filth is washed under the blood of Jesus!
There is a story about a famous sheep who ran away from the shepherd for over 6 years. His name was Shrek, and he was just another sheep in the rolling hills of New Zealand, a country where sheep outnumber people. Eventually he was found in the caves on that farmland and returned to the shepherd. Shrek had been carrying 60 lbs (27 kg) of wool all that time! Can you imagine carrying a 60-pound backpack every day for years?
Like Shrek, many of us carry around baggage we don’t need to carry. If we return to the Shepherd, He can shear the load off our backs. For He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matt 11:28-30
It’s God’s desire that we be filled with peace, hope and love. He desires “that none shall perish, but have everlasting life”. The Bible is a book of promises and curses. We must read it to know what they are!
If you’ve been spending time away from the Shepherd for whatever reason, now’s the time to return. Another wise man told me something so powerful that I find myself repeating it often: “Do you wash your feet before you enter the shower? No. Likewise, we don’t have to clean up before we go to God.”
Have you been longing for peace and joy in your life, but haven’t found it yet? Then let’s not repeat the history of 2013. Instead, start now to follow God’s plan for your life in 2014, so that it may be filled with purpose and joy!
As for this missionary’s life, it’s been tough being in a wilderness season, always having to wait on one thing or another. I don’t despise this season, but I look forward to a true season of harvest when I’m able to return to the Philippines!
The Philippines has been through so many terrible events, and the whole world knows about them. Cebu is in the Visayas region, where that massive storm came through. It only clipped the northern end of Cebu, and for that I’m grateful. Had it actually hit the city, the deaths would have numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Very soon, Assemblies of God will release me to raise funds to return to my second home, the Philippines.
In my previous newsletter, I mentioned that I’d been able to buy a car. Well, it blew up just like the truck! Glory to God, my wait for another vehicle was shorter this time. I only had to wait 2 months for transportation. God impressed on somebody’s heart to give me a car nicer than any I’ve ever owned! I’m so grateful for how God has continued to walk me through this wilderness. It’s been an incredible time of learning, both through life’s experiences and through seminary.
One last word I’ll leave you with for the new year: get a vision for your life, not just a New Year’s resolution to go on a diet. A diet is great, but it’s no substitute for a plan for your life! Pastor Jason put it so well this Sunday when he said, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit nothing.” He also challenged everyone to write down their vision and put it somewhere they can read it each day.
I’d like to pass that challenge on to you as well. Right now, this very moment, go and write down your vision! The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Pro – 29:18
God bless, and Happy New Year!
Because they haven’t heard,
Justin Gilpin