It is a great joy to share a sermon each week.  The opportunity to ask God, "What do you want to say to your people?" each week, and then prayerfully prepare a message is a great honor.  It is also a great deal of work.  But every week God gives me joy in the process.

Even when the sermon is about suffering.  Suffering is not anybody's favorite subject.  "Hey, everyone, let's talk about getting beat up for God!"  And yet, we are called to share in the sufferings of Jesus.  Most people will never understand that we "consider it all joy" to endure suffering in the name of Jesus. 

That is because most people will never experience the joy that comes with the suffering.  They will never see the answer to prayer just at the right time. The unexpected gift, the cure, or the reunion after long separation are wonderful things.  But the peace that really does surpass understanding is even more wonderful.  The joy in God's grace is enough to make you weep.

It's like refreshing, nurturing rain when you least expect it.

Today I was walking in the yard, brown grass crunching underfoot, thinking about how much we need rain.  There was no rain in the forecast, no clouds on the radar.  Yet suddenly there was a rumble, and then another one.  Dark clouds appeared, then threatened to go north of us.

I prayed.  Yes, I prayed for rain.  Within minutes, a drenching rain was falling.  For the next half hour, it poured.  I'm not sure how much came down, but it was definitely over half an inch.  Puddles formed.  You could almost hear the grass sigh with relief and delight.  Creation was rejoicing, at least here in Bayfield.

Joy is like that.  Your life is at its driest.  There is no relief in sight.  Just when things get darkest, when you hear the angry rumble of discouragement coming closer and closer, and just when you think nothing will help, the Spirit pours down and fills you with His grace.  

The dryness is gone.   And in it's place you find Joy!

I pray for the nourishing, refreshing rain of the Spirit in your life today.  I pray that He will drench you with His grace.  I pray that you will know Jesus.

And I pray that you will find Joy.

When Saul (also known as Paul) met Jesus, it was a very public, very personal experience.  Everyone around saw the light that shone down on Saul.  Light brighter than noon-time was hard to miss.  They didn't have halogen headlights or 1 million candle power lanterns.  But they knew glory.
The people around also heard something that sounded like a voice.  It all took place very publicly.


But it was also a very private encounter.  Nobody but Saul saw Jesus.  Only Saul heard His voice and understood His message.  And only Saul received the gift of blindness.


Yes, I said the gift of blindness.  You see, Saul had a great deal to think about.  Jesus said that Saul was persecuting Him, and that soon Saul would be His witness to the gentiles.  


What would you do if you suddenly learned that all you were doing in God's name was worthless?  In fact, what if you discovered that what you were doing was completely against God's plan?


Saul thought he was in the center of God's will.  As a devout Jew, he was attacking those who threatened his religious way of life.  Then Jesus stopped him in his tracks.  And nothing would ever be the same again.


Saul had three days with no distractions.  He couldn't see.  He was in the house of a stranger.  So he spent his time wisely.  He prayed.  And he fasted.  In three days, Saul came to terms with the fact that he was God's messenger to the gentiles in the name of Jesus.


The persecutor became the preacher.  Instead of trying to stop the movement created by Jesus, he became the first missionary for Jesus.


Saul used a time of darkness wisely to seek the will of God.  He fasted and prayed for three days.  When you are in a dark time, keep seeking.  Jesus is there in your darkness.  He promised to never leave you, never forsake you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.  


When Ananias came, Saul was ready to follow Jesus.  He immediately ate and was baptized.  As a Jew, he would understand baptism as an act of obedience.  Gentiles were baptized to become Jews.  Saul followed the example of Jesus, identifying with Him.  Saul chose to proclaim his new-found faith in Jesus.


It's okay to be in darkness.  God meets us there.  But there is also a time for action.  When God calls you out of the darkness, eat.  Gain strength.  And follow Him.