Not Quite Finished

We are here on holiday after three and a half months of serving the Master in the ME and Switzerland. The conditions of those two places were not ideal, and at our ages it was challenging, but we wholeheartedly enjoyed every moment of the service. 

So, here we are on the southern coast of Turkey, in an ideal town that we have holidayed in several times before. Spectacular views, small town, biblical history everywhere, an incredible condo to stay in, diving and swimming every day, and unlimited great restaurants for when we want to go out to eat. So I’m asking, “why did the Master allow me to re-injure my ankle and be unable to walk for some days?” Yesterday evening was some of the greatest pain I have had in the ankle in years (thankfully we brought some medicine along with us). This morning Kate went out with our Turkish landlady and bought me a cane so that I could hobble around. 

Since the beginning of the year I have been reading through the O.T. Job was one of the books but there are also several others that document stories about servants of the Master, who were faithful to Him, yet He allowed very challenging circumstances to enter their lives. Currently I’m thinking of Jacob, who went to his uncle’s land to find a wife. He did, right away, but it took him 14 years before the marriage was finalized. Then there is Joseph, a very faithful servant who underwent countless obstacles in His following of the Master. I’m currently in Daniel right now and…the lion’s den. And I haven’t even mentioned David, Jeremiah, Esther, Moses, and many of the prophets. All faithful servants whom God chose to burden in life.

When we were in Jordan I picked up a book off of one of the bookshelves called, “Heroes of the Holy Life”. It has stories of Jonathan Goforth, Madame Guyon, Adoniram Judson, William Taylor, and about 10 other incredibly faithful servants. Reading through that book makes me feel like I am unworthy to be called a servant of the Most High. The things they went through to expand His kingdom here on the earth makes me feel like I have led a royal life here. Then there is the book I just read called, “Women Who Risk” by Tom and Joann Boyle. Arab women who endured agonizing and life threatening circumstances for the sake of the gospel. Again, I felt so lowly reading about the things they went through to follow the Master.

When I compare my current circumstances to those servants that I have read about, I feel ashamed that I’m even questioning why God allowed this to happen to me now. I am in a beautiful condo – not a prison. I am able to hobble around (with pain) – not cowering in a basement to hide from people who are looking to take my life. I have delicious food to eat – not starving because there is a war going on and no food available. I have a spectacular view outside of our windows – not the darkness, dampness, and distress of those who endured dungeons. I have a gift from God in my wife – not losing multiple wives on the field due to sickness. And overall, I have lived a life of incredible health – not like so many other servants of the Master have gone thorough.

When I started this post I was going in a completely different direction. Then, as I was writing, the Holy Spirit flooded my soul with the books I have recently read and am currently reading. Tears have come to my eyes now as I recall that song…..”God is so good, He’s so good to me.”