I received this email into the ministry and thought you would be
encouraged by this true story:
Last night after our
prayer meeting I asked my friend, "What are you going to do? Are you going
to go?"
"I don't know,” she
said.
"It really seems
like The Lord is leading you to go,” I commented.
"Maybe so. Not
tonight though. It's already 11:00 and they close at midnight. He'll be there
for a lot more Fridays to come," she replied.
But, the Lord had other
plans (Proverbs 16:9), and she ended up racing out after our prayer meeting,
where she had just been singing and praising the Lord with hands lifted high,
in order to go to a bar. That's where her husband was. He was the DJ there, and
this was his first gig. Sadly, he's a false convert; he professes to believe,
but has no real interest in the things of God.
She didn't really know
why she felt so compelled to go. He hadn't asked her to come and she knew she
would feel like a fish out of water in that place. It would be nice if she
could hand out a few tracts while there, but she knew he wouldn't appreciate
that.
She prayed as she raced
across town in her car praying, "Lord, if going will benefit my marriage,
then please get me there before they close." Of the 11 stop lights that
she had to go through, she only had to briefly stop at 3. "Thank you,
Lord", she said as she arrived at the bar about 25 minutes before closing.
She walked in and saw him
on the stage where the bands play, surrounded by his equipment, secular music
blasting, his head bobbing to the music, and his hand in the air. It struck her
immediately how she had just had her hand in the air too, but for a very
different reason.
Her heart ached for him
to know the Lord like she does, and she hoped he would be really glad to see
her. He seemed a little surprised, but basically was indifferent. Not the
reaction she had hoped for, but not surprising either. It seemed the stronger
she grew in her faith, the unhappier he became. She hugged him, and was glad
she had decided to go after all.
It remains to be seen how
God will use this small gesture on her part, but we pray that it will be a
small step in total restoration.
Until then, she is
determined to persevere and be the wife that God has called her to be (1 Peter
3:1) while resting in God's sovereignty for her husband's salvation and for her
marriage, totally confident that she'll get through this trial; after all, she
has a perfect track record.
And, by the way, you have a perfect track record too if you are in
Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).
Just think of all the things He has brought you through.
Think about the trials that you
never thought you would make it out of, but did!
He is faithful to carry you – even if you
have an unbelieving spouse, even if
your health is failing, even when you are fearful and
afraid. We have a very
strong tower to run to.
All of this makes me think of the book of Hosea and how God
relentlessly pursued us
while we were in our sin, and we could not resist Him.
May God open my dear friend’s
husband’s eyes to the glorious Gospel and may he
be broken under the weight of his sin.