A few days ago, my wife JoAnn asked a question. As soon as she asked, the Holy Spirit gave me a parable. Her answer was in the parable. It was for her, but God had allowed me to make a slight change and give it to you.
A man that lived in Boston made regular trips to New York City. He know the way by heart and he know every landmark along the way. The environment was comfortable for him. However, on a certain trip he found the road blocked with a detour sign. The detour road was rough and troublesome; it was even dangerous and he was uncomfortable. Suddenly he realize that he had a choice. He could focus on his uncomfortable situation, or he could keep his focus on his destination. If he kept his mind on the destination, he could enjoy the scenery and learn about many new things. Suddenly, the bad road, the potholes and the danger become less important. Without realizing what was taking place, his thinking was being changed. He was actually being taught by the one that set up the detour. It was a time of learning, a time when his wisdom and knowledge was being increased.
The Apostle Paul wrote much about the molding of the Children of God. He knew about this because he had been on many rough and uncomfortable detours in life. Paul told how a novice should not be put into a position of authority lest they be lifted up in pride (1 Timothy 3:6). This Apostle knew that God must change us, taking us from the position of a novice to a vessel of honor. Therefore, when we find ourselves in rough territory we must focus on our destination, that of becoming a vessel of honor.
True Christians are on a journey. They begin at salvation and grow. If they allow God to mold them, they change into the likeness of the Son of God. When one becomes like Him, they speak like Him and act like Him. Consequently, along this route we are detoured from comfort to admonishment. This is not because God hates us, but because He loves us. The road of admonishment is not comfortable for the flesh, but it will change us into vessels that can be used by God.
“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy Law:” (Psalms 94:12). “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Heb 12:6-8). Chastisement and scourging are what causes the flesh of man to submit to the Spirit of God within him, changing him into someone that will act like Jesus, speak like Jesus and become a vessel for the works of Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word [the one we know as Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father] and the Word was God [the Son]. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him.” I have stopped quoting here because the statement “through Him” is what we need. This quotation came from John 1:1-2, of the New King James Bible. Other interpretations of the Bible also state the fact that through the Word all things were made.(See the Revised Standard Version, The New English Bible. The Jerusalem Bible, The Amplified Bible, etc.) Only two interpretations that I know about state, “All things were made by him.” This difference, through or by, does not appear to be very important until you consider it as an example for all who follow Jesus.
If all things were made by the Father, through the Son, it lines up with what Jesus said to His disciples. He said, “I have many things to say to judge you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him (John 8:26). I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him (John 8:28).”
God has not changed. Today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He still does His work through His children, the ones that have become vessels of honor. He also works through the angels (See Hebrews 1:14) But, I know little about this.
We are told that some people will do works for God and it is not of God (See Matthew 7:22). So, take the detours in life with joy, knowing that you will not be one of these.
Now we know why JoAnn can say, “Radiation is only a detour on my way to complete restoration.” She has stayed focused on her destination, one that she will probably tell about later.
Several weeks ago, we placed a prayer request sheet in the radiation department of a local hospital. People place their name on this sheet and we pray for them, just as we pray for JoAnn. Today, we have pages of names. If you know people that need to be added to this list, let us know. We will bring them before the Lord, and pray that they be made whole. This is a small job for the one that made the worlds, so join us as we speak positive prayers concerning these people.
Dean Hubbard