A Day with photographers

Today was much like many work days, except the company was extra special. Working the CNPA (Carolina Nature Photographers Association) annual meeting is actually a real treat for me. They are terrific people, many old friends, all fun to be with. Even though the day is long for a trade show, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. it is at least in the company of good folks. After the show I had dinner with a dear friend from the show. We talked about a lot of things but when the conversation got serious, I listened as he shared about a large number of mounting frustrations in his life. He described how where he worked, a lot of the ways things were done, were just short of criminal. How uncertain the future seemed at times, and how much he wanted to support his family, but how many road blocks had been thrown up. He shared that he had been fighting these battles for a long time. It was a pretty depressing story. Then he broke into a big smile and said, “It has been great for me, it has taught me to really trust in God.”

I was struck with a great truth that often escapes me. God is in control even when we don’t like the circumstances He has us in.

I asked him how I could pray for him and he said, “pray that God’s will be done.” I want to thank him for sharing so openly and honestly with me. I also want to thank him for reminding me that things aren’t always what they seem. We talked on for about and hour and the more we shared the more deeply I fell under conviction. At the end of the dinner I was reminded of some vital, key principles of a walk with Him, please allow me to share them;

I’m not certain of a lot, but of these three things, I am very certain;

1. God has a plan. God knows what He’s doing and no matter how far out of control things may seem, if we are committed to Him, He knows right where we are, and exactly what He plans to do. We are never out of His mind and care.
2. God is under no obligation to tell us what the plan is. For whatever the reasons, God often does not reveal His plan until well after it has had it’s full affect on us.
3. If you have given your life and heart to Him, He not only can be trusted, He has only the best outcome planned for you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

I was talking to my friend and used an illustration that I think sums up how we are to live. I said to my friend, imagine that some thieves have walked into the restaurant heavily armed and approaching where we were seated. Imagine further that you are seasoned police detective and also armed yourself. If you said to me, sit very still and let me handle this, you can trust me, I’ve got this under control. I would be left with a big decision, do I really trust you, do I really think you can handle the situation? Would I trust you with my life?

How far are we willing to go with our Heavenly Father? Are we willing to trust Him with everything, no questions asked, with complete faith that He can handle the situation, all situations?
If we can’t, who can we trust? If we can’t trust anyone, what are we to do?!

I’m glad my friend shared with me, I’m glad that he caused me to re-examine my level of faith.
I’m even more glad that I know with certainty that God can be trusted, that He loves me, and that
even when I don’t know His plans, I can know that are what’s best for me and those I love.

Father, I do want your will to be done and not mine. That would be very hard to say if I did’nt trust you completely. Amen

the pilgrim