Serving God though missions in Asia and the Pacific
Several weeks ago, a good friend wrote an email to me with this subject line “Time To Post”. That was all he said…oh yea, and he also offered a quick link to my editing page just to make it easier. I thought about writing for many days, which turned into weeks, which has now turned into months…and I still am not sure what to say. I suppose this may be one of those “silent times” in my life when I am not hearing all that is being said, or in this case whispered. Maybe I have been in a “slump” and just not feeling the groove of writing my personal thoughts and sharing my feelings with the world, or at least those few who actually read our blogs. I have often wondered if this blog site / web site would actually work for us, or if it would be a flaming fire for the firs few months and then slowly burn out. That is actually how I have been feeling lately…a fire that has almost gone out. Kind of dry, kind of unenergetic, kind of wandering around – just waiting for the a slight breeze to come along and reignite the fire that lies within the coals. These are the times in my life when I definitely don’t feel like sharing about “anything going on in my life”. Who would want to read about it anyway? Okay, now that you are all thoroughly depressed by these ramblings…just wait and listen.
Can you hear it? No, it is not anything that I am saying (or writing), but it is the breeze – or in this case, the wind that is blowing the fire of my life back into flames. Many refer to this as the Holy Spirit fanning the flames and igniting the coals of our lives, I believe that is also what God is doing in my life. Suddenly, things seem focused again. Recently, I have been communicating better with Him again. How does this happen? How does our life go through valleys and back up to the tops of mountains, and then back down in the valleys again? I wish I knew the answer to this question that has alluded me all my life, but I know it happens. At least it happens to me. Maybe it happens to you also. One thing I have noticed is this – when it happens…it will end. I just need to hang on and not give up. Wow! Pretty deep and theological sounding I am sure, but that is what God is teaching me…just don’t give up. I know that He has not given up on me when I am walking through the valleys and going through the dry times in my life, in fact, that is probably the time when He is closer to me than I realize. I just need to listen. I just need to rest in Him. I just need to keep walking and talking and being with Him.
Marilyn Hopkins
April 4th, 2009 at 6:31 am
You may think what is going on in your life is not newsworthy and we may think it is amazing.
We all have mountains and valleys. Henrietta Mears said of David, “The devil would rather throw a man when he is on the heights, he falls farther and harder.” Maybe the valleys aren’s so bad.
Donna Myer
April 4th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
your post was good for me to hear.Sometimes I think we feel we are the only ones going through things when in reality we all experience the same things at one time or another. Miss you guys, Hope to see you in orlando!
Daniel Pape
April 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Who could that friend have been?
Greg, I’ve been there! Every blogger has been there, but I bet when you started out writing that post you had no idea the Holy Spirit was going to get under it and turn it into such a great testimony! I loved it. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep fanning those flames and waiting on God as he renews your strength!
We miss you guys. Hurry up and come home.
Ray
April 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Greg – could also just be times of peace, smooth sailing, no real storms to battle but we may at times miss the peace expecting something more dramatic… – of course, only you and your spirit know what it is
- just being me – stirring the pot a little ~ Ray
Auntie Paulette
April 16th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Hello my favorite nephew. Don’t tell the others I said that okay. ha ha You know I love you dearly. Anyway, I read your blog and just thought of your mom so much. You know she has repeated scripture to me many times when I was down and in a “dry spot.” She would say “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles….. Just wait on the lord and don’t panic when you’re feeling down. It’s okay to take a little rest. It’s okay. Times like that He is carrying you and letting you know that … this too shall pass. Always, remember that we love you and God love you even more. He knows who you are and knows exactly how you’re feelilng. It’s okay.