By Anieta Hopper / Finance Manager
Recently I had dinner with a friend who had just returned from a
vacation in Cape Cod. While there they took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard and
visited Oak Bluffs. They had no idea where to go once they got off the ferry
and were wandering aimlessly, probably looking a little lost. A rather
disheveled looking man standing on the corner pointed in a direction and said
"Go this way. I promise you, you won't be disappointed." I'm not sure
I would have listened to him but they decided to take his direction. Had they
encountered an "angel unaware"?
Her eyes sparkled and her voice resounded with energy and
enthusiasm as she told me about their day. Just down the street, they came to
Wesleyan Grove, the site of Methodist camp meetings since 1835. The large oak
tree grove was surrounded by brightly painted and well-maintained cottages. A
sign said "the presence of the Lord is in this place."
They toured the cottage museum and learned the history which she
recounted with great passion. Upon leaving, she told her husband what she
really wanted to do was see through one of the modernized cottages. As they
continued down the street an elderly lady came out of one of the cottages and
said "You're here. I've been expecting you!" They were puzzled and
she explained that she thought they were the couple coming to look at the
cottage she had to rent. She invited them in and they got a tour not only of
the rental cottage but also of one she had for sale. God granted His child the
desire of her heart.
Surely the presence of the Lord was in that place. As my friend
told the story it was obvious she had met with God in a very special way that
day. He had sent her little blessings and love notes through a disheveled man,
a sign reminding of His presence, a grove that had been used for years to
present the Gospel and an elderly lady.
I have to wonder how many times I've missed out on what God had in
store for me because I didn't like the message or the messenger, because I
wouldn't follow His direction, or because I simply didn't have eyes to see or
ears to hear what was around me.
A few years ago when I was looking at verses on quietness I was
struck by the "but" in Isaiah 30: 15, 16. The Voice puts it this way:
Listen! The Lord, the Eternal, the Holy One of Israel says,
Eternal One: In returning and rest, you will be saved. In quietness and trust
you will find strength.
God invites His people to lean only on Him. If they will
just stop their busyness and self-reliance, God will be able to take care of
them.
But you refused. You
couldn't sit still; instead, you said, "No! We will ride out of here on
horseback. Fast horses will give us an edge in battle." But those who
pursue you will be faster still.
Let's get rid of the "buts"
and the excuses. Let's stop making our own way and let God lead our days. Let's
listen to that still small voice that is saying: "Go this way. I promise
you, you won't be disappointed." I suspect we will be
delighted and surprised by what He has in store for us just as my friend was
that day in Oak Bluffs.