FROM THE PASTOR
August 6, 2017
This week I was on Gravel Lake just south of Lawton when close to 7 AM in my peripheral vision I saw a large bird glide into view. This happens frequently with cranes and swans but this one was different. So, I turned my head to get a better look and to my surprise I saw an adult Bald Eagle. I was captivated as he flew almost directly over the boat so close I could see the individual feathers in his white head dress. Instantly my memory produced an image formed some 50 years earlier on the bank of Lake Iliamna in Alaska. For just a moment I once again saw the family of Eagles perched on the top tier of the fish drying rack downing fish slabs as if they were at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The year was 1967, I was 17 and high school graduation had just taken place a couple of weeks prior to that moment. I had recently received my acceptance into Bible College and looked forward to fall. I also flew on the first airliner of my life from Detroit to Anchorage and then on to Iliamna. And there I sat, 3100 miles from home, watching eagles eat fish they had not caught, without a clue as to what God was preparing in my life.
Many years have passed since that day and I, like so many others, have faced the necessity of learning lessons that God often allows into our lives to mold us into His image and conform us to His will. In the years that followed I struggled, made selfish decisions, and even turned from God’s will for a while. Still, even with all that, I am confident God never gave up on me, never stopped working in my life and the lives of those around me. His plan for me was not to be thwarted. Even when I have demanded that He’ just leave me alone’.
In today’s message, we again will focus on ‘God’s providence’. Clear and convincing evidence that God never stops working in, around and thorough the lives of those whom He chooses to accomplish His purpose. For that, anyone who has walked in the shoes I chose to wear for a while, then turned back to God, must be eternally grateful for that providence. God will always make a way.
In fact, Don Moen presented a song a few years back with that very title, “God will make a way”. The lyrics go like this…
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
(If you desire to hear the music it is available on YouTube)
Thank You for your faithfulness! Pastor Larry
