I had been living in Long Island for no more than 6 months when we decided to take our first winter retreat with the teens. I decided to hook up with a church in the Philadelphia area where their youth pastor was a rookie too. In fact we had just graduated from college together. He got hired there at the same time I got hired in Long Island. We found this Christian Retreat Center on the shores of New Jersey to go to. Seemed more like a summer place, but that was why we were getting it for so cheap, so why not? Obviously, this was a rookie mistake on both of our parts because what are we supposed to do when it's freezing outside, there's no snow because we had the bright idea of holding a WINTER RETREAT on a beach! It was miserable! Right up until I saw Kyle Aiello. Kyle had just met another guy from the other church. They were talking but looked like they wanted something to do. So, at some point someone, and I'm not going to say who, suggested to Kyle to go jump into the Atlantic Ocean! With no thought or hesitation, Kyle took off running toward the water! This other kid started following him! I couldn't believe it. Kyle ran onto the deck, and took a huge jump and landed himself smack dab in some freezing Atlantic Ocean water!
I was impressed with Kyle's attitude of just being ready to jump into whatever, whenever. It reminds me of today's reading of God calling Abram. We don't have any qualifications as to why God chose Abram. No record of him following or worshipping God. Enoch walked with God. Noah was considered a righteous man before God. But nothing from Abram. All we have is Abram's reaction to God's call. Think about this. God comes to Abram (no record of this happening before) and tells him that he wants him to move to some other place. Now if you're a normal human being, you question that. You want some kind of a plan; some kind of a destination. Where am I moving to, one might ask. But I think we get a glimpse of why God chose Abram based on his reaction. Abram, without any thought or hesitation said ok and took off toward the direction God showed him. Abram didn't know what was in store for him. All he knew was that God had spoken. God wanted him to move. He moved.
Could it be that we find ourselves not moving in a direction because God already knows our reaction of doubt, questioning, and hesitation? Do you trust God? Do you follow Him? They why don't we trust Him to guide is in the direction when He is the one leading it? Let's be a little more like Kyle today. Let's be a little more like Abram. Let's jump into it! Have a great day guys!
Ron Foster
I was impressed with Kyle's attitude of just being ready to jump into whatever, whenever. It reminds me of today's reading of God calling Abram. We don't have any qualifications as to why God chose Abram. No record of him following or worshipping God. Enoch walked with God. Noah was considered a righteous man before God. But nothing from Abram. All we have is Abram's reaction to God's call. Think about this. God comes to Abram (no record of this happening before) and tells him that he wants him to move to some other place. Now if you're a normal human being, you question that. You want some kind of a plan; some kind of a destination. Where am I moving to, one might ask. But I think we get a glimpse of why God chose Abram based on his reaction. Abram, without any thought or hesitation said ok and took off toward the direction God showed him. Abram didn't know what was in store for him. All he knew was that God had spoken. God wanted him to move. He moved.
Could it be that we find ourselves not moving in a direction because God already knows our reaction of doubt, questioning, and hesitation? Do you trust God? Do you follow Him? They why don't we trust Him to guide is in the direction when He is the one leading it? Let's be a little more like Kyle today. Let's be a little more like Abram. Let's jump into it! Have a great day guys!
Ron Foster
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