Many experiences in this life have brought me great joy. God designed this life to be enjoyed. Sure, there will be times when things are not always pleasant. Life is a bit of a roller coaster isn't it? I can remember dark times in my soul where I felt so distant from God. These were times that I questioned my purpose...questioned God. Days like this are not the norm and they do not have to be what consumes your life.
This is not a blog about dark times. This is a blog about abundant joy, peace, and happiness. Many days mark the landscape of my life on which I look back and remember only the fondest of memories. You know the days I'm talking about. These are the days that stand out. They're not like the rest. Honestly, most days go by without anything remarkable happening. That is why time flies by so fast...you wake up in the morning and go about your routine and nothing was different from the day before. The kinds of days that I am referring to though, these are the ones that make time stand still. Memories are made on these days.
I will never forget the indescribable feeling that swelled up within me when I saw the love of my life walk through the doors in the back of the church holding her father's arm. In a moment she would walk to me and become my wife. Time stood still. The day that she told me that we were expecting our first little boy my heart nearly beat out of my chest with excitement. Time stood still. The day that little boy was born and I nearly fainted...time stood still. The day she told me that our next little boy was on his way and yet again my heart overflowed with joy. Time stood still. The day the he came into this world while his mom and I laughed together...time stood still. You see we could focus on all of the things that make this life painful or we could focus on these days.
Another day that stands out in my life happened only recently. Two weeks ago that first little boy that God entrusted us with made a decision. Although he is only six years old, he knew that he needed to trust Jesus with his life. As a pastor, God has blessed me with numerous opportunities to lead people to Christ. Each and every time someone decides to follow Jesus, I am overwhelmed with his grace. I am dumbfounded that God would use me in such a powerful way. I get overtaken with joy, time stands still, and the worries of the world fade into oblivion. When my little boy wanted to talk to me about Jesus and God opened the door for me to lead his little heart to Christ...I just could not contain it. Time stood still...it was as if everything in my life led me to that moment. This weekend, I have the privilege and honor of baptizing him. I wait with glorious anticipation for that moment. I cannot wait for the day when our youngest decides to follow Jesus too. Oh what a day that will be when Jesus saves him. I am trusting with all of my heart that this will soon occur. At that moment, my family will be made whole together. Time will stand still.
Today my wife had the privilege of sharing Jesus with one of her students. She felt the overwhelming joy. She has always loved her job but today was special. For her today I am sure that time stood still and she has a memory from that moment that she will carry with her from here to eternity. This is what we are made for. This is what life is all about...that's why days like this are so remarkable. When my wife shared her news today, one of her friends commented "There's a new name written down in Glory". This quote reminded me of a song that we used to sing in church when I was a kid. "There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine. Oh yes it's mine. The white robed angels sing the story 'A sinner has come home.'" Luke 15:10 says, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Y'all, I'm going to break it down for you...God just wrote another name in the Book of Life!!!!
You want joy? Do you really want joy? Then join in the mission with Jesus and tell people about him! I promise you with every fiber of my being that there is no greater joy than this. This is the stuff that gets talked about in eternity. This is the stuff that makes wading through this life worth it. This is the stuff that makes time utterly stand still!
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