Proverbs 16:9 the mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Late last year I received news of a critically ill friend. Amazingly, my wife and I each, separately came to the same thought; I should go to visit and encourage him. This was a big deal thought because he was in Bellingham, Washington. The mind of this man planned the trip, the Lord directed, the friend died soon after the plan was made. Believing Proverbs 16:9, we decided I should still go to that far way land, to console and encourage the new widow.
The journey began, a ride to Mesa Gateway Airport, provide by one of my brothers here, the flight, a rental car and I was standing with his wife and hearing about his final hours. The next day, Sunday, I visit the local community church and encountered further evidence of the Lord's step directing. It was the summer-time church home of my departed friend and the welcome and love they received me with was truly Christ-like. And those directed steps just kept on coming. At the Lord's direction, I had a church full of friends, a dozen of whom had been visiting West Valley Bible Church during the past 7 or 8, spring training seasons. Some remembered meeting me there.
Their retelling of the times they spent in Surprise, and the fun gathering with the 50+ Connection gang, started a whole new cycle of the mind of a man, my mind, planning the way, next Spring's 50+ Connection gathering at wvBc so I could invite them. During the six days in Washington I was also blessed be able to visit my youngest daughter and the two grand-girls.
Once back home, the full effect of the Lord's step directing slowly became apparent to me. That Spring-time 50+ Connection gathering was not as planned as I thought when I invited the new friends from Washington. Thus began my step by step growth into a event facilitator. And ultimately, I heard the Lord, remind me of all the event planning He had taught me in our southern California church family.
So examine what the Lord has equipped you with, a heart for people, a skill of some sort, especially my fellow 50+ folks. Let us be found as the "good and faithful servants" in Matthew 25, who used those talents they were given and not the one who left it "safe" and unused.
Joe Mileham
