April 16, 2023 - Timing

     God’s timing never ceases to amaze me.  Things happen when I am simply in awe of the power of God.  
     In my past struggles I have tried not to preach with the focus on what was going on in my life.  I must admit that I did preach 22 years ago on my first Sunday back from cancer surgery on the theme “Lessons Learned from the Mat.”  I used the story of the four friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus on a mat.  Up to then I had been one of the mat carriers.  It was a totally different perspective being on the mat.
     In this present chapter I haven’t backed away from sharing my feelings or using personal illustrations.  I have been willing to bear part of my soul in these blogs.  But preaching must never be about me; it must always be about Him.
     As I look at many of the characters in the Bible I see that God used the struggles in Paul’s life, the failures in Peter’s life, and even the sin in David’s life to help us understand how God works in our lives.
     In no way am I comparing what is going on in my life to any Biblical character, just saying that maybe a modern-day illustration might give us some understanding.
     This morning I preached on overcoming fear, using the 10 disciples who were cowering in fear behind closed doors on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection. 
     Out of my own struggles I shared some of my own fears.  One Biblical truth was that Jesus came to the disciples while they were afraid.  Jesus brought them faith to believe and trust Him in their fears. 
     To calm their fears Jesus offered them peace because of His death on the Cross.  He offered them the Presence of the Holy Spirit to dwell in their hearts.
     There was a special sense of God’s Presence in worship this morning as I preached.  I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in my own heart, confirming the truth of the Scripture.  Somehow I believed even as I preached that God was doing something in someone’s heart.  I wasn’t sure what or who or how many.  I knew that God was at work.  I believed that God was speaking to lots of folks.
     Because I was pretty sure that this might be the last Sunday for a while that I could greet or hug folks, many people came to greet me after the sermon.
     A line, not all that long, formed at the front of the worship center.  In that line was a family who was at Daybreak for the very first time.  Grandparents, a daughter, and her two young children under the age of 10.  I had noticed the family earlier when the two young children came during the children’s sermon, which I led.
     Grandpa who wasn’t too far off my age introduces himself says, “We are from Texas.”  He says that he has come to see his daughter who lives here in Lexington.  He introduces her and says, “She is recovering from cancer surgery.”
     Are you serious?  I preach this morning on the fears that I am facing and God sends a young lady who is dealing with a very serious cancer, likely more serious than mine.
     You just can’t make this up.  Since Covid we have had very few new folks come to Daybreak.  And on the Sunday that I somewhat unwillingly preach on how I am dealing with fear that cancer brings, the Lord sends a family who is very much dealing with fear and cancer.
     I struggled all week long on a theme for this morning.  I usually like to have some clue where the Lord may be going, but I felt nothing all week long.  No direction whatsoever.
     Until Saturday evening and I felt God moving for me to be honest and face my own fears.
     I now understand why.  God’s timing.  What an amazing thing.