Seek and You WILL Find!

Joe Walcott, a welterweight champion in 1901, first coined the phrase “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”  In 1902, another American prizefighter, Bob Fitzsimmons, popularized the expression before he fought Jim Jeffries.

I guess it’s a fitting expression for me.  Except that I do my real “fighting” on my knees.

As a Prayer Warrior.

This morning, it didn’t take a knockout punch to get my attention.  You could have KO’d me with a feather!  And I’m not that big, so the fall wasn’t hard at all.  In fact, it was the softest, sweetest landing ever!   🙂

What happened this morning came on the heels of a meeting I had attended with nine women ten days ago.  One of the women had suggested we all share how we were doing before we adjourned.  Most women focused on their health and/or their loved ones’ health.  Then they turned to me.

I didn’t understand at the time why You prompted me to say what I said. I don’t know any of these women in a deeply personal way.  Nevertheless, You had me share just a little about the Amazing Adventure we are on, You and I.  And how thrilling it is to be following You as You shape “the rest of my life” into what will become The Best of My Life.

I saw more than a few expressions that seemed to say “That’s nice…” as they looked for the nearest exit.  🙂   But one of the women came up to me as I was leaving and asked if we could get together sometime soon for tea.  It was something I had said.

She called me the next day.  She began to share with me over the phone the reason she wanted to get together.  I could see Your Divine Hand orchestrating our steps.  I began to realize that she is one of the reasons You sent us here to Virginia… and to this tiny church that has been withering.  We schedule our tea for this week.

Five days ago, we spent two hours together.  She poured out her heart.  She is 70 years old.  Her beloved husband has been gone for some years now.  She has children and grandchildren she loves.  She was happy as a stay-at-home mom for much of her life, though she had also been happy in her health care career before they came along.  She has been active in church her whole life.

But she knows there must be something more.

The question that now keeps her awake at night is this:  “What do You want me to do now, Lord and for the rest of my life?”  She wants her life to matter — to be fruitful — for YOU, Lord.

And she doesn’t know how to get from “here” to THERE.

You had me speak to her about her God-Given Sweet Spot.  The Fact that she has one.

The Fact that it is totally unique from every other human being on the planet.  The Fact that You have made her with an Identity that is one-of-a-kind Special.  The Fact that You prepared a Destiny for her — work to do in the world for You — that You have given to no one else.

The Fact that You, Lord, are the Only One who has the answers she seeks.  The Fact that You will gladly give those answers to anyone who will earnestly seek You.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

Thankfully, You have provided a wonderful tool to help guide those with eager hearts who want to seek You for those answers.  The process that has become a “signature program” I use with many of the clients I coach…

“Finding Your God Given Sweet Spot — Identity and Destiny, 7 Steps to a Purpose-filled Life,” by Tom and Pam Wolf. (www.identityanddestiny.com)  I showed her the workbook and talked her through the Table of Contents.

There was no doubt in my mind that we had been brought together in yet another of Your Divine Appointments… for such a time as this.  She said she wanted to think about it some more before deciding.  So I left her with a hug… after praying with her that You would give her CLARITY if this is what You would have her do.

And I continued to pray for her.  Fighting on my knees for her, knowing Your enemy would try to dissuade her.  Until You dealt him the Knockout Punch!

She did call two days later… to say YES!  She wants to go through the process on her own, at her own pace… and is excited to get started!!!

This morning, I brought the workbook to church with me so I could give it to her.  She sings in the choir, so I knew it would be after the service before I could put it into her hands.

Just like You planned it, Lord… so if she had any inkling of a doubt, it would be totally dispelled during the service!

First, it was the Opening Prayer:  “Holy God, we want our lives to matter.  We want our time on earth to count for something — something meaningful, something important, something eternal.  We do not want to lead shallow lives, squandering our time and energies on that which ultimately counts for nothing.  And so, we come in humility, asking You to remake us.  Reorder our lives that we may truly delight in Your Word.  Grant us wisdom to seek You above all else.  Prune what is withered and lifeless in us.  Most of all, give us Your living water that we may grow and bear fruit for Your Kingdom.  In the name of Christ we pray.”

AMEN!!!

Then, it was the Sermon entitled “On Being Well Planted.”  When the pastor asked:  “Who are you really… at your core?”  I glanced up at my newly-found sister in the choir.  She was looking at me and smiling!

She has the workbook now.  She could hardly wait to get home today so she could start on the journey with You, Lord!

“Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, who meditates on His law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever he does prospers.”  (Psalm 1:1a,2-3)

The harder they fall?  Yes, Lord!  Head over heels in love with You!

Awestruck, yet again…

Abba’s Girl

 

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