Soundtrack

Student Weekend at FBC Oronogo–Saturday Night I preached on the Disciple’s Identity: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” out of Colossians 1:27. The students had been out all day serving at Ronald McDonald House and Watered Gardens; which is really cool to see them getting out into their community to serve. Again, the worship time was really sweet.

I am reminded when I am at these kind of worship experiences of the “soundtrack” of our lives. There are always songs that remind us of a specific time in our lives. Reuben led us in worship and this song hit me like a ton of bricks…for several reasons.  First, we sang it at youth camp this last summer, right after I heard of my job situation. Secondly, we had done this song along with a cardboard testimony at FP Carthage a couple of years back.  Third, the words are just so powerful and really ministered to me on Saturday night.

[tentblogger-youtube RvDDc5RB6FQ]

There was a young lady that gave her testimony at the end of the service on Saturday night that also ministered to me. She is a pastor’s kid who has been drifting away from the Lord for some time because of how her dad had been treated at a previous church, etc. She said, “Steve always says, ‘Don’t miss out on a blessing and come to this weekend.'” She said she was so glad she came because our story and her story are so similar and I really ministered to her this weekend. (Obviously, the Word ministered to her this weekend, not me.) Words can’t express how thankful I was to Jesus for her words that night. You know, there are so many times when I just feel so defeated and ready to quit and give in. I just get tired of hearing “no” or “you can’t do that” or “we think you are great, just not for us.” It felt so good to be able to use my gifts and passions this weekend at Oronogo. I am so grateful that God allowed us to still be around here to do the weekend. (I had put Steve off several times when we came to Carthage and he finally wouldn’t take “no” for an answer this time last year and said “put it on your calendar, David! It’s scheduled!”)

Her testimony reminds me of another “soundtrack” moment in my life.  In 1996, I attended the National Youth Ministry Convention in Atlanta, GA. I ran into a friend that had preached a youth revival at our church in Battlefield. He came up to me at an Audio Adrenaline concert (remember them?) and said, “I want to share something with you that I haven’t shared with anyone else, except my wife.” “Do you remember that older gentleman that we went to visit at his house about salvation?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “That guy was my “fleece.” I said, “what are you talking about?” He said, “I had been going through a really difficult time in my life and I was ready to give up.  I told the Lord that I was going to be done with the ministry unless that guy came to faith in Christ.” He said, “I know that sounds crazy, but I was at the end of my rope.” That old man found Christ that week at the revival…and come to find out, that church had been praying for him for years and years. He died later that year, and we will see him someday with Jesus in Heaven!

I don’t think I have ever been so bold as to have a “fleece” for God. However, I really do appreciate the work that God did in my heart this weekend. This Scripture has given me a lot of encouragement over the last year or so and I felt I needed to share it with you all (all 3 1/2 people who read this blog!).

⁹And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

What about you? What are some “soundtracks” in your life?