Why This Road?

There was a Christian artist back when I was in high school name Ginny Owens.  There is a song that spoke to me years ago and I still find it speaking to me again years later.  The name of the song is called "This Road" This song is one of those that has popped into my head several times over the last 10 years.  I know that there is a purpose, a reason and a plan for everything.   I am promised that, by God!  He has never left me to wander without a purpose, and normally that purpose is to show his glory and his power! Some people talk about living by faith...We have been there.  We have lived that.  We moved to seminary a week after getting married not knowing a single person, not having a job, just knowing that that was where and when God wanted us in Wake Forest.  I can honestly tell you that until about a year and half a year we could NOT make a budget.  Not because we just didn't care or because we didn't want to, because we couldn't....the money NEVER added up.  We had WAY more bills than we had money coming in.  But we never did without!  We always had food. I know I have told this story in the past but I feel like I need to be reminded of it, as well as maybe other people.  We have been through hard times, hard jobs....but when looking back everything even the timing was because he was preparing us for where he would place us next.  Going through hard times and difficult situations and coming out the other side stronger is just proving the point that God has a plan! God has a purpose and his plan for our lives and it is WAY better than anything we could ever imagine.   Because one day we will look back and be able to put the pieces in order and realize what God was doing all along.  Now let me tell you that when you are living in the dark times and not knowing what is going to happen next is some of the scariest places to be but know that one day it will make sense.  So keep pushing forward! Keep doing what you are called to do! Its all for the Glory of God, not man! He is the one that you will one day have to answer to, not man! He is the one that will be able to say "well done, good and faithful" or "depart, I never knew you" So you decide who you would rather please!

A million miles away from anything familiar
a thousand places I would rather be
so I choke back the tears and try to find the bright side
though I find it hard to see beyond my suffering
in my heart I know your plan is so much bigger
but this small part is all that I can see
and I believe you haven’t left me here to wander
still I can't help but ponder where you're leading me

and I ask why this road
why this way
and this load
tell me how far must I go 
till I see
till I know 
why this road

A million miles away from anything familiar
what was it like to be so far from home
though you came in love
the world misunderstood you
there must have been some days when you felt so alone
but you endured, cause there was joy before you 
joy that came because you sacrificed
Since you gave yourself just to spend forever with me
surely I can trust you'll lead me through my darkest times
when I ask why....

From here I can not see
why you'd choose this path for me
but I don't have to understand to believe
that you know why
You know why this road
why this way 
and this load
you know how far I must go 
till I see
till I know 
why this road

Now on a positive note...Let me tell you how God has blessed!  God has blessed with a great group of youth.  We had 50 participate in D-Now!  We had 31 kids go to camp! Several saved, several feel a calling to ministry or missions, several deepen there relationship to Jesus Christ.  Now let me tell you that middle school and high school students can be hormonal, unpredictable, crazy but in my life right now I can honestly tell you that I wouldn't trade them!  They can catch a vision quicker than an adult!  They can see and be willing to admit there sins and call for a change faster than an adult!  There is a statistic that says that 64% of ALL Christian came to the saving faith before they turned 18! So let me ask the question why is Student and Children Ministries always placed on the back burner!  Shouldn't it, be the one that you are pouring EVERYTHING into! But a lot of the time people say "well someone else will do that or let someone who is good with kids can do that...I will sit in my little corner" So let me ask you something...look at the churches that are blowing up and busting at the seams...what is common denominator?  There youth and children are taken care of!  Because they are a priority!  Because they aren't looked at as the ones that will take over when they are older but they are considered THE CHURCH NOW!  If you call yourself a church that wants to bring in young families make sure that you are providing a quality environment for the youth and children of these families!        

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.