Heart to Heart
Diana and I were in the airport at Minneapolis when we heard the news. Mother’s Day weekend had been filled with laughter, a special time of worship alongside our daughter Becky at her North Carolina church (next to David & Connie Hunter who go to the same church). We were waiting for a delayed flight to arrive, so we could make the final leg home.
I called Stephen to let him know he would likely have to pick us up in the early morning hours from Logan International Airport. He let me know I was on speaker phone, and Celina asked if we would like to hear some good news. Absolutely, lay it on us... “WE’RE ENGAGED!”
There were shouts of joy in that airport lounge! Diana and I felt so blessed, and rejoiced at God’s goodness to our family. Just hearing the news, helped us to handle the long delay and lack of sleep so much better. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of learning about wedding plans, and figuring out our part in it.
You would think after doing several weddings in our family, along with many other weddings I’ve been involved with over 36 years of ministry, that I wouldn’t be surprised by the impact of such news. Having an imminent wedding on the horizon greatly increases your focus. We are really tuned into wedding details now, and other plans have taken a back seat to the wedding plans. Adjustments are being made, and new plans set in motion, to make this a fantastic wedding for Stephen & Celina. Everything passes through the “wedding filter.”
May 19th marked 50 days since Easter’s celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the grave. Jesus took the first 40 days after His triumph over death, to instruct His disciples on the coming Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He then told His followers to remain in Jerusalem, waiting for “the gift my Father promised” (v.4). In response, the disciples prayed daily, waiting for God to send the promised Holy Spirit (v.5). Ten days later, on Pentecost, the Spirit came with fire and empowered Christ’s disciples to be His witnesses to the nations.
When Jesus ascended into heaven after 40 days, the angels asked Christ’s disciples why they were staring up into the sky (v.11). “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Christ’s return or the 2nd Coming, will be the Wedding Day when the Bridegroom (Jesus) comes for His Bride (the Church). In the meantime, we watch, we pray, and we do the work that God has called us to do.
Everything in life is to be filtered through “the Wedding” filter. We know that the Wedding Day is nearer now than when we first believed. We understand that we can hasten that Day (Matt.24:14 & 2 Peter 3:12), by investing heavily in taking the Gospel to the last of the unreached. That’s why we urge people to give sacrificially to the Great Commission Fund, on June 2nd (with matching funds available up to $550,000). In the meantime, we’re to live “holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11) thru the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, bearing witness to the world about Jesus Christ, our Savior & Coming King.
Have you put your priorities and plans thru the Wedding filter? Are you doing your part to bring it closer? Will Jesus find you faithful when He returns, doing life in the power of His Spirit, and telling others about Him?
As we move into the summer months, may we anticipate Christ’s soon return and Wedding Day, doing everything in our power to reach the unreached. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!!
Pastor Adriaan & Diana <><