September 22, 2005

• Dear Friends,

  
  

          The Lord has been working in my heart in so many marvolus ways! What a week it has been! Last Friday I was on my way to the first “Anne of Green Gables” play practice and I had a 30 minute drive ahead of me. I remembered that today was “National day of Prayer” for the Hurricane Katrina victims. So I decided to pray… as I began suddenly my mind began to spin as I thought of all the prayer requests for people we know, tragic situations, broken relationships, etc. Let alone the victims, I felt totally overwhelmed as images of faces, both familiar and not,  began to whirl in my heart and mind! All I could think of was all the hurt, pain and brokenness in this world of sin and I began to weep! I prayed through my tears, until I could not continue, the emotion was so great! Then I recalled the last verse in Revelation talking about Jesus’ return! So through my tears I looked out the window up at the cloudy sky and cried out loud: “Come quickly Lord, Jesus! Come quickly!” As soon as I spoke those words I saw the face of Jesus, NOT literally, but in my mind I saw the face of my Savior looking directly at me! His eyes were so compassionate and understanding and two single tears were rolling down his cheeks! Then I saw Him turn and kneel before His Father and with His hands clasped Jesus asked “Can’t I go now! Please, isn’t it time yet?” He was pleading for permission to return!!! I always thought about the return of Christ from my perspective… He would come in glory, majesty and spendor and take all believers to be with Him forever! But here I saw it in an entire different way. It was as if Jesus wanted to come, not just for His glory but because He saw how we were suffering! And He wants to come rescue us! As Jesus is pleading God shakes His head, gently puts His hand on His Son’s shoulder and says “No,  the time is not yet ready! You must wait! For I wish to see none perish but many to receive repentence!” Jesus with tears shining in His eyes looked back at me and gently smiled as if to say ”You heard God’s answer! Keep your eyes on the goal, press foward and I will give you a crown of life! Then… then it will be worth it all!” 

  
  

  I need not tell you that I wanted to cry, laugh, shout, and sing all at the same time! It was the most vivid picture I had ever seen, I felt such love and compassion that I thought my heart would burst! To think that Jesus Himself would want to return because of our pain was unfathomable! How I love Him! One of the questions I have really been praying about lately is “Why are we here on this earth!” There are several answers one might give, “To glorify God” “Run the race of life” “Make our mark on the world” etc. But as I prayed I could only come to one conclustion… I am here for the “soul” purpose of witnessing to others about the only thing that matters: Jesus! That is the entire reason we exsit… every moment of every day must be lived to glorify Him! What better way to glorfy Him than my sharing what He has done with others! I loved the way one man said: “So many Christians think of witnessing as this “thing” you do! You have a tract in your pocket and you sneak around like a detective “waiting” for your chance to “witness!” Friends, as Christians we are to be a witness from the moment we wake up to the moment we lay down at night!” (Paraphrasing) This past week I was sorely conviced of this! And after my experience on Friday I was convinced that the Lord has something greater instore for me, and all believers than what we had planned for ourselves.

  
  

  “He who testifies to these thigns says, “Surely, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” -Revelation 22:20-21

  
  

  Delighting in His love, Kristi

  • 1:51 am
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