Right Direction

I heard a very moving testimony about a week ago. The gentleman told a story about a couple who had a well tested driving ritual. It had served them well. They were heading north from Florida to Cincinnati. The wife drove until they stopped in Atlanta. They went through their checklist completely and the husband took over, behind the wheel, just as they had planned. He adjusted the seat and the mirrors. He got the car up to 70 mph. Put the car in cruise control and was driving along very confidently until he saw the sign, “Welcome to Florida”. We sometimes find ourselves living a life of service, good works and love and believe that, in and of itself, it means that we’re doing what the Lord wants. We could be heading in the wrong direction! I had spent a good deal of time in ministry in hospitals, either as a hospital chaplain or visiting church members, as a pastor. I always thought that I’d like to volunteer in a hospital when I retired. Shortly after I retired, I started volunteering in the ER, became volunteer coordinator of the ER, joined the Auxiliary Board, served three years as either, President or President-Elect. Four years after I started volunteering, I felt a call to serve the Lord in other ways. I ignored the call. My wife encouraged me to serve in those ways and I just kept volunteering, Every Tuesday morning in the ER and every Wednesday in the office, 10 hours a week. I served almost 7 years and almost 6,000 hours. I treated it as ministry and often it was. When I left, 2 years later than I should have, I could finally say “Yes” to His call. I’m now driving in the right direction. I was still; I knew He was God; He spoke and it took me two years to answer in the affirmative. Be sure that you give Him the opportunity and the receptive posture to speak into your life. May you be blessed with His peace and the riches of His grace and the acceptance of His will for your life!