Tursting that treasure is around the corner
The seed for a rich blessing was planted in me yesterday afternoon and I didn’t even know it.
Until this morning, that is.
The cool thing is that the young lady (I’ll refer to her as RB) talking with me about our out-of-state rental home didn’t know she was planting the seed that would germinate during my daily Bible reading time in the One-Year Bible.
I love how the Holy Spirit works.
Here is the passage that triggered my recollection of RB’s comments to me after our conversation yesterday turned from real estate over to matters of real importance — the things of faith.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (2 Cor. 4:18).
This statement by the Apostle Paul was made within the larger context of a believer’s hope in an eternal blessing despite the reality of earthly trials.
The principle of delayed gratification applies on so many settings, however.
And the capacity to embrace the long-term view of faith can be ours only as we comprehend the reality of God’s existence and His Truth.
Let me explain how this connects with yesterday’s events.
RB is a talented, single woman who has landed a job in the town where our rental home is located. She saw an advertisement about the home and contacted me. RB and I had a lengthy, faith-filled conversation yesterday that was followed by another lengthy conversation — also filled with faith — between RB’s mom and myself.
Lori also talked with RB last night and was blessed as was I in yet another conversation, this time more specifically involving the rental unit.
The portion of my conversations with RB that most stood out, though, was her stated commitment to do the right thing in her social life.
It’s important to understand that RB is an intelligent, vibrant, attractive woman who is a wonderful conversationalist. She is also young and single.
Most importantly, though, she’s committed to the Lord.
It is this last factor that prompted RB to unknowingly plant the seed that sprouted in a faith-affirming way this morning.
You see, as RB and I were discussing the challenge of waiting on the Lord for certain things in life, she mentioned that her faith is sustaining her as she waits on the Lord to introduce her to her future husband.
“I know he’s out there and the Lord is preparing him for me. I know that I certainly wasn’t ready a couple of years ago if I had met then the person God had planned for me,” she said.
RB said she wanted to be married and have kids and spend the rest of her life with a husband she adores. It’s just that until God brings that person into her life, she will not attempt to find a lesser substitute and rework him into what she wants.
She said that she had learned through experience that trying to fill this void without God’s help was not a good idea.
I told RB that I admired her faith and self-discipline and that I was convinced that God would honor that commitment at some point with a fantastic, role-model marriage.
And then this morning, I read, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”
I immediately thought of RB.
I’m convinced that God will bless RB’s faithfulness.
For she is certainly putting a smile on His face.
Smiling daddies are more prone to doing good things for their kids, aren’t they?
RB’s Abba Father is no different in that desire.
He IS different, though, in that He can bring a good thing that human hands cannot.
He CAN lead just the right, godly, intelligent, vibrant, attractive man to RB. And that guy will be a wonderful conversationalist.
I love how God is and I know I’ll love seeing how God works in this part of RB’s world.
You know, God will do really neat things for His Kingdom with a surrendered couple like this.
Hang in there, RB. Keep trusting. Keep waiting.
Fix your eyes on what is unseen to you just now, but that which God has already seen.
The application to the rest of us? Whether it involves the need for a job or for better health or for a car that doesn’t break down or for a more peaceful congregation or for a teen child to stop his/her defiance, TRUST the promise of Matthew 6:33.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (physical/emotional needs) will be given unto you.”
Please. Wait on God to carry out His will for your life.
After all, think of all the times He’s had to wait on you to carry out His will for His Kingdom.
As always, I love you
Martin
