You may remember we at Metro Moms talking about my friend, Mark, who died recently of complications from a liver transplant. Benny and I had the privilege of attending Mark's funeral in Northern Virginia with our former church family. The memorial service was one of the most edifying and moving I've ever attended. Mark's life was celebrated -- as was the compelling example of my friend, Marie, who selflessly cared for her husband for his final two very challenging years.
Although we moved to Orlando 8 years ago, memories of our years of friendship with the Walker family are keen and warm. In addition to all the fun, we also remember conversations with Mark about his desire for his life to count for eternity. He longed for God to use him, and wondered at times if that meant a call to some kind of vocational ministry -- something that never happened and, at times, tempted him to discouragement. But he was encouraged by a personal sense, confirmed by a prophetic impression from someone over 20 years ago, that he would someday preach the gospel to a room full of people. He waited and wondered.
At the funeral the best was saved for last -- a delightful video history of Mark's life. It was a tearful walk, starting with pictures of him as a baby and continuing through his wedding, the births of his five children (one of whom I was privileged to witness when Daniel was born at home), and his final years in his hospital bed surrounded by smiling family and friends.
The still pictures ended and a short video began. His wife, Marie, is holding their camera and "interviewing" Mark in bed. She was obviously making a chronicle of his final months and weeks -- a treasure for current and future generations. "Mark, why do you love Jesus?" she asked, not knowing how Mark would answer. With labored breathing and stroke-induced speech, Mark joyfully spoke of his Savior. He talked about what Jesus meant to him -- His atoning death, His love, His forgiveness, the hope of heaven. There was hardly a dry eye in the room.
Mark preached the gospel to a room full of people -- at his own funeral.
Are there hopes and dreams unfulfilled in your life? Prayers yet unanswered? Longings your heart swells over that you wonder will ever be met? Perplexing delays? Temptations to jealousy over others having things you want...things you believe (hope?) the Lord wants for you?
God's timing is perfect. If what you desire is truly God's plan, nothing will thwart it happening. Delays are providential -- even when it seems people are the source of the waiting. The question to us is this: Do we trust God to grant the desires HE has placed into our hearts in HIS time?
I'm sure Mark didn't know he would have to wait 2 decades for the fulfillment of the God-ordained desire in his heart. Or that he would be gone before it happened. But God was gloriously honored and Mark's unbelieving friends and family heard the gospel...from him.
Lord, help us to trust You with our heartfelt desires. You know what's there...the requests we've made to you. The longings for things we believe are biblical and worthy. The temptations to impatience, unbelief and bitterness when delays assault our confidence in Your providential control over every circumstance and person in our lives. Help us to prize Your glory over our hopes. And if we have to keep waiting, give us strength to resist sinful reactions to Your sovereign plan. You are faithful! And nothing can thwart Your plans. Thank you, Lord!
Posted by Sheree
Oh my goodness!! This is amazing! Wow, what a testimony! I got goosebumps just thinking about the clear picture of it all: the trust in God to fulfill His promises and answer prayers and then the fulfillment of them! God is so faithful and yet, it is easy to lose sight of this or to allow the enemy's doubts to infiltrate my heart.
Thank you for this post - it was very timely!!!
Posted by: Jennifer Lightfoot | February 07, 2008 at 10:30 AM