The following was the Charge given at Uchee Pines' Trainee Dedication.
Turn with me to the theme text, Isaiah 43:1-2: “But now [this is a present thing, right now!] thus saith the LORD that created thee [the Creator of the universe, the One who speaks and it is—now, in this moment, the Creator of the universe, the Creator of YOU, says], O Jacob [Oh (insert name)], and he that formed thee, O Israel, [oh Uchee Pines trainee—the personal God, the One who knows you intricately, the One who is invested in you. What does Psalm 139 say? “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” The God who formed YOU in your mother’s womb. “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel.” At this point in the verse the stage is set for what follows. This all wise, all caring, tender, loving, powerful God, says,] Fear not: [don’t be afraid; now if we are being told not to be afraid then there obviously must be something fearful we are dealing with—so whatever that is, God says, fear not…and why? What reason do we have not to be afraid?] for I have redeemed thee, [that word redeemed translates, “to redeem, to be next of kin, to buy back.” God, the One who not only formed us in our mother’s womb, but the One who bought us back from the enemy to give us a place next to Him, to call us not slaves and outcasts, but family—fear not, don’t be afraid because I have not only created you but I’ve considered you of such value that I’ve bought you back, and I bought you back with an infinite cost] I have called thee by thy name; [God says, I know you by name; you’re not just one among many; I have chosen YOU; (insert name)—I have called YOU. “Fear not, because I’ve redeemed you and I’ve called you BY NAME”—but that’s not all] thou art mine. [A few years ago Jai and Shanice went with Mom and I to put on a seminar at a church and during that weekend they noticed that all throughout Mom’s presentations she referred to me as, “my Kim.” They loved teasing me about that. I’m her daughter, I came from her. She loves me. I’m a part of her. God says, You’re mine. Zechariah 2:8 says, “he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” So now that God has thoroughly established His place, how He views you, how intimately connected and invested He is in YOU—then He goes on…] “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Water and rivers, fire and flame—this sounds dangerous. We’re going to go through some things! What does water represent?
What does fire represent?
Let’s break it down. Your theme for this Dedication is “Through It All.” You’ve made it through some things over the last year. But your time here at Uchee Pines is only a part of your journey. This verse outlines some of the things you have to get through in life.
Isaiah 59:19 says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” It doesn’t say, you’re going to rise up and retaliate. “The rivers…shall not overflow you.”
“The fire…shall not burn you.” 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” Zechariah 13:9, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” When you go through all of this—when you go through the water and the fire—your God—the all powerful, all knowing, loving, invested God—will be with you. You’re not going to drown. Even when you feel like the waters are about your neck and you don’t know how you can take anymore—if someone puts one more task on you, if someone says one more unkind word about and to you, if something takes the control out of your hands; even when all this and more surround you and you just don’t know if you can take anything else; God says you’re going to get through it all. You will. And how? When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and Jesus called to him, “come,” Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on that water. And he was safe as long as he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus. The moment he put his eyes on others he started to sink. “Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, ‘Lord, save me.’ Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, ‘O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?’ ” (E. G. White, DA 381) “These trials of life are God's workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit us for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. But as we pass through these trials, as the fires of affliction kindle upon us, we must not keep the eye on the fire which is seen, but let the eye of faith fasten upon the things unseen, the eternal inheritance, the immortal life, the eternal weight of glory; and while we do this the fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine.” (E. G. White, 1T 706) “God brings His people near Him by close, testing trials, by showing them their own weakness and inability, and by teaching them to lean upon Him as their only help and safeguard. Then His object is accomplished. They are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their powers were given them. God takes men upon trial; He proves them on the right hand and on the left, and thus they are educated, trained, disciplined.” (E. G. White, 4T 86) Where are your eyes? Where will be your eyes in the coming days, weeks, months, and maybe even years? You have made it through your Lifestyle Educator course, your Healthcare Provider Internship. You’ve learned a lot of good things. But when you leave this place and you find the chilling waters of affliction and distress, the cold indifference of people, the fiery heat of trial and test—where will your eyes be? This isn’t the end of the journey. There are more things you’re going to have to pass through. You are being dedicated tonight and charged with the responsibility of bearing the title Medical Missionary. When those waters come, when that fire is hot, as it most surely will be, look to Jesus and you’ll pass through it all. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet, God leads His dear children along. Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. God doesn’t promise to remove trouble from our lives. The verse specifically says “pass through”. The word through shows us there is an end. The trouble won’t last forever. And as we pass through it, God promises that He will be WITH you. He’s right there by your side, holding your hand, saying, “Be not afraid.” He will get you through it all. When those waters of affliction, pain, suffering, pressure, overwhelm you—He’s there, working to get you through it. When you feel like you’re drowning in “people problems”—He’s there, pouring love and wisdom into your heart so you can draw warmth from their coldness and get through the issues. When temptation and trial harass your soul and nobody sees or understands the inner fire that’s raging—He’s there, walking with you in the furnace and bringing you through it. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” My charge to you, Lifestyle Educators, Healthcare Provider, look to Jesus, because it’s Jesus, and Jesus only, who will take you safely through it all.
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Jean was visiting her neighbor Shirley at her house next door. As they chatted Jean felt a little strange, then it happened, her second child was ready to see the world. "You better get to the hospital!" Shirley warned, the urgency in her voice. Jean's husband Paul didn't waste much time and soon they were welcoming their precious little boy into this world, Gary Michael.
A lot has changed since that day, 68 years ago. That little boy is no longer the precious baby in his mother's arms, but rather a grown man with children of his own. I didn't know him all those years ago, but I know him now in ways that few ever will, because I am his daughter. Though our time together has been broken up over the years, much of who I am is because of this man. I could write the same of my dear mother, and so much more, but that's for another time. This tribute is for the first man in my life who encouraged me, corrected me, listened to me, appreciated me, held me, and who most of all loved me. Dad wasn't perfect, he messed up, he didn't know how to be a father, but he tried, he did the best he knew. And for that, despite all the shortcomings, I'm grateful. If there is one thing that I never needed to question, that was beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was that Dad loved me and believed in me. There were times when he didn't understand my choices, when he didn't approve of my decisions, but I knew he just wanted the best for me. He made sure I knew his thoughts, but in the end, he let me live my life and find my way. Through the years Dad would tease me, "you're my number one daughter," to which I would always reply, "I'm your ONLY daughter." I owe so much to this man--my humor, my love of words, my sense for money, my heritage, my love for time, my interest in people, and the list goes on...I am my father's daughter. Yes, sometimes that isn't so good and I've had to recognize my weaknesses, but also my strengths. Whether we like it or not, we are a reflection of our parents. Our challenge is to take the good and shun the bad. Today I want to acknowledge the good. So Dad, thank you for all that you have given me. The coming years will hold new challenges, life is ever changing, but no matter what, you will always be my first and dearly loved dad! No one can ever take that place in my heart. My prayer for your new year is that you will know God's redeeming grace personally, that you will walk with Him sincerely, and that His love will transform your life and make it into something more beautiful than you could have ever dreamed. Happy Birthday! I love you! Life. What does that word even mean? What is life all about anyway? Have you ever had those thoughts? Yes yes, we know the “right” answer—glorify God and win souls for the kingdom of heaven. But what does that look like day to day? What does it feel like? Isn’t it strange…we get up each day, we eat, we work, we may do some extra things that we enjoy—or not so much—we go to bed, only to repeat the whole process again. Life.
Giving up. Have you ever wanted to give? Give up on a situation; give up on a person; give up on a relationship; give up on a project; give up on doing what you’ve always done; just give up. Life seems dead, like it doesn’t really matter. You look around at those you love, and you ask, How have I really made a difference in their lives? Your ideas and standards are met with scorn or at best as simply “your own opinion,” nothing worth embracing, not even worth studying to see how those conclusions were made. You stand alone. It’s painful to hear the comments, the encouragement in worldly ways. You’ve failed. Failed in sharing truth even amongst your closest friends. So you’ve given up. Then you try to settle it in your mind, Your job isn’t to convince, it’s only to plant seeds. But that doesn’t change how discouraged you feel inside. Life. I’ve been there. I know what those thoughts and feelings are like. I became a Christian when I was 13-14 years old. Life went on and with it ups and downs in my spiritual walk. There were times when I was "alive" and when I was "dead." Those early years were in a way some of the hardest because you’re learning how to walk the straight and narrow, and yet they were also some of the easiest because you see your need and you know that God is the only one who can help you. As time passes the challenges in the Christian walk change form. It’s easy as the years roll by to get complacent, to just go along, whatever happens happens. We lose our sense of priorities. It takes place oh so subtly. After being in this Christian journey for many years I began to really struggle. It was a different type of struggle than I had experienced before. I just felt like giving up; giving up on work; giving up on friendships; just giving up. My purpose for life was dying. I want to take you back to when the climax came…. It was a Sabbath afternoon. I had been with friends for most of the afternoon but I just wasn’t there, mentally. Finally I left the group and went for a walk. I want you to put yourself there. You’re walking, walking, walking. Your mind is full and you begin to ask yourself questions… Why do certain things matter? Why should it matter if anyone appreciates what I do? Why should it matter when it seems like it’s a waste of someone’s time to talk with me? Why should it matter if anyone is interested in what I have to say? Why should it matter if anyone accepts the truths I have learned about music, dress, personal appearance, conversation, or anything else? Why should it matter if no one likes my singing or playing? Why should it matter if no one supports my efforts? Why should anything I do or say matter? And then it’s as if God speaks through the storm of your thoughts, It matters to you only if your sense of value and worth comes from those things. If no one ever stopped to talk to you or was interested in what you had to say, if no one ever commented on how they appreciated your contributions, if no one ever made you a priority in their life, if no one ever supported you in anything, would you still do it? And if you wouldn’t, why? Would you feel worthless? I’ve been a fairly confident, secure individual, most of my life. But I also have had a sense of being highly valued by those around me. When that is stripped away and you’re left with just being one among many, do you feel worthless? That is not what makes us valuable. On that Sabbath afternoon walk I knew that truth, intellectually but there was a heart problem. When you find someone sprawled on the ground you immediately check their level of alertness. If they are unresponsive then you check for a pulse and signs of life. If none, then you begin CPR. What are you trying to do? Get the heart pumping—there’s a heart problem. They need to be revived. “Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death.” (E. G. White, Christian Service, p. 42) In one of my favorite books it asks, “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.” (E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 58) “The world claims the heart; but that heart belongs to the One who redeemed it. If given to the world, it will be filled with care, sorrow, and disappointed hopes; it will become impure and corrupted.” (E. G. White, Messages to Young People, p. 407) Are we filled with care, sorrow, and disappointed hopes? We have a heart problem. On that Sabbath afternoon as I was walking alone, God said, You have a heart problem. If I were never able to speak without fumbling along, if I always squeaked and messed up when playing an instrument, if I couldn’t hit a right note for anything when I sang, if I were never able to get anyone to do anything, if I was never good enough for people or my work appreciated, I would still be of value. The tears streamed down my face. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane saw me, He saw you. He was misunderstood and forsaken by EVERYONE. NO ONE SUPPORTED HIM OR APPECIATED HIM. And yet, He did it anyway. In the midst of His suffering and pain He saw me [put yourself there] and He said, “I’ll do it for her.” As the great drops of sweaty blood were dripping down His troubled face and He clung to the ground in anguish, He said, “She is precious to Me. I want her to be with me for all eternity. I’ll do it for her.” WOW ME! He valued me of infinite worth (put yourself there), not because I could do anything for Him, but because He loved me. He wants to be with me. He wants to hear what I have to say, with all my imperfect, stammering words, and He’s the BEST listener ever. He wants to talk with me. He never considers time with me a waste. He never belittles my comments or ideas. If I am wrong, He seeks to redirect me. He loves me, not for what or who I am. He sees in me something He wants to polish and make beautiful. I wanted to give up. I failed; failed in friendships; failed in serving; failed in so many areas. I was dissatisfied with life. What did it all mean? What was it all for? It's hard to keep going when you feel like it's all a waste--all worthless. So you have to ask, why? You have to get to the root--it’s a heart problem. In the garden of Gethsemane Christ looked down through the ages and saw you. "I want that one to be with Me for all eternity. I'll go to Calvary for them." That thought breaks my heart, but also sets me free. That’s what gives me revival. I want to talk with you about a very important topic; a topic that has been misunderstood and twisted for centuries. Our perception of this topic has been warped, perverted, corrupted. Thousands have passed through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach, because they did not see this topic as God sees it. The lack of understanding this topic is one of the reasons for spiritual feebleness today. Our misconceptions of this topic slight our Creator, disappoint Jesus, question His wisdom, and are like telling God that He has messed up. Until we see this topic as God sees it, we will not become the people He wants us to be. Our whole outlook on life hinges on this topic! It’s vital, and yet, so few neither see its importance nor believe its truth. It’s time to change that. It’s time to change it in your life and mine.
Let's look at Luke chapter 1. Here we find the story of Zacharias. He and his wife were “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”; they were well stricken in years but were without a child. We pick up the story in verse 11 while Zacharias is offering incense before the Lord in the Temple. “…there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord…And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John....And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Skipping down in the chapter we read a similar account. The angel visits a woman named Mary and delivers unto her a message much like the one to Zacharias. She will have a child. But her response is different than that of Zacharias. Verse 38, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” What are we talking about this morning? What is one of the lessons we can take from this story? Do you understand your value? Your worth? “Zacharias well knew how to Abraham in his old age a child was given because he believed Him faithful who had promised. But for a moment the aged priest turns his thought to the weakness of humanity. He forgets that what God has promised, He is able to perform. What a contrast between this unbelief and the sweet, childlike faith of Mary, the maiden of Nazareth…The birth of a son to Zacharias, like the birth of the child of Abraham, and that of Mary, was to teach a great spiritual truth, a truth that we are slow to learn and ready to forget. In ourselves we are incapable of doing any good thing; but that which we cannot do will be wrought by the power of God in every submissive and believing soul.” (E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 98) Only those who accept their value in God’s sight are able to do great things for Him. Zacharias said, “Who am I? God wouldn’t do that for me!” Mary said, “Who am I? may God’s name be glorified in me!” Do you see the contrast? Only those who accept their value in God’s sight are able to do great things for Him. “Thousands pass through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach. One reason for this is the low estimate which they place upon themselves. Christ paid an infinite price for us, and according to the price paid He desires us to value ourselves.” (E. G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 498) “The reason of the spiritual feebleness of today is the low estimate the believer is constantly inclined to form of his spiritual character. But he is of that value that the Lord Jesus has paid an infinite price for his salvation, and Christ would have His chosen heritage value themselves according to the price He placed upon them. In view of this do not let any one of us disappoint Jesus by placing a low estimate upon ourselves. Let us embrace the opportunities and privileges which will increase our value with God, by using all the treasures of His grace to become precious and lovely in His sight. If this were done, many more souls of solid moral worth would be seen, because by uniting with Jesus, our lives become imbued with His spiritual likeness. Practical holiness would run like threads of gold through our lives, and as they beheld the wholeness of character to God, heavenly angels would say, ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir!’ “All heaven rejoices over the weak, faulty human soul that gives itself to Jesus, and lives a life of purity. Those who overcome much, love Jesus the most, and are put next to Christ, next to the great white throne, within the inner circle; yes, greatly honored.” (E. G. White, Bible Training School, May 1, 1915) But what about self-exaltation? “O how much evil has been committed by placing a high estimate on human talent, when the possessor was unconsecrated, unsanctified. All human talent is valueless before God until the superscription of Jesus is placed upon it.” “But while we are to humble ourselves, we are to have a true sense of our value as God has estimated us, in the price paid for our redemption. We are to value every capability, every talent entrusted to us, as the Lord's most precious endowment, that we may use them to His name's glory. When we look upon ourselves as purchased at an infinite cost in order that we might have every advantage in the strife for immortality, eternal life, we will make every gift a treasure of influence, whereby we may reach perfection, completeness in Jesus Christ.” (E. G. White, 6 Manuscript Releases, p. 103) “God wants us to respect ourselves. In our families and in the church, we too often seek to destroy self-respect. Do not do it….It is not pleasing to God that you should demerit yourself. You should cultivate self-respect by living so that you will be approved by your own conscience, and before men and angels. It is not an evidence of true humility that you go with your head bowed down, and your heart filled with thoughts of self. It is your privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame and remorse….While we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, the Word of God does not condemn a proper self-respect. As sons and daughters of God, we should have a conscious dignity of character, in which pride and self-importance have no part.” (E. G. White, Daughters of God, p. 141-142) We are utterly unworthy, yet of infinite worth. “You should not place too low an estimate upon your ability to act your part in the various callings of practical life. Where you are aware of deficiencies, go to work at once to remedy those defects.” (E. G. White, Daughters of God, p. 143) “…Let no one belittle their efforts, for the Lord will be with those who labor with Him in self-denial and self-sacrifice.” (E. G. White, Daughters of God, p. 135) Our value in God’s sight. This is a very important topic; a topic that has been misunderstood and twisted for centuries. Our perception of this topic has been warped, perverted, corrupted. Thousands have passed through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach, because they did not see their value as God sees it. I don’t want to be spiritual feeble; I don’t want to disappoint Jesus anymore by doubting my value. We live in a world that is unsatisfied—we don’t like our hair, our eye color, our body shape, our height, our voice—all these things and so much more; we think we don’t have any talents or natural gifts; we constantly compare ourselves to someone else who appears to “have it all together.” Truth is, we all have flaws, we all need improvement, and we all have been given talents and gifts. God knew what He was doing when He created us just the way we are. God didn’t mess up. Sin does mar His ideal, but He oversees all. God made you who you are for a reason, for a blessing. “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand….” (Psalm 139:15-18) Until we see our value as God sees it, we will not become the people He wants us to be. Consider a gemstone. “Identified as one of the unique gems in the world, a flawless blue diamond was honored in 2007 as the most expensive gemstone in the world. The 6.04-carat diamond was sold for $7.98 million at” an “auction in Hong Kong.” (Google) “A gem is given value in terms of what people are willing to pay for it. By that standard, what is a man or a woman—any human—worth? How much did God pay to redeem a person?” (Tucker, In His Hands, p. 360) “…See in every soul, rich and poor, a value that cannot be measured by human estimate. The world sinks into insignificance in comparison with the value of one soul.” (E. G. White, Welfare Ministry, p. 83) Utterly unworthy, yet of infinite worth. No sooner does the comment fall on our ears, "You are beautiful,"
Then we roll our eyes, shunning the words as if it were dutiful. Perhaps it was a little bold. These words are not what we are accustomed to being told. In fact, have we ever heard them? They are rare as a costly gem. In embarrassment we hide our face, Yet deep within our hearts these words find a place, Only to resound in our ears As alone we sit in wonder trying not to shed tears. Beautiful? Me? There are beautiful women out there, Ones to which I could never compare-- Shapely figures, shining eyes, radiant smiles; Winning personalities giving them such style. I'm not one of those girls, Delicate and as comely as pearls. Someone thinks I'm beautiful, could it really be true? Not just on the inside but the outside too? It's hard to believe, Yet we can't seem to cause the idea to leave. "You are beautiful," it reechoes in our mind. We tell ourselves, "They were just being kind." But while we dismiss such words with our lips as if it were a crime, Underneath we feel strange and special, all at the same time. Then in silence we pray, "Lord, make me beautiful in the way it really counts, That my life will be to Your glory to recount." Copyright 2014, KK. |
SolominaEverything in life has meaning. There's a lesson in every object, every situation, every process. I want to go deeper, in a higher way. I want to listen, to understand, to know. Archives
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