Traveling the Rock Road

Listening to the caller on the other end of the line was a little aggravating and more than once I gave thought to hanging up. But the pain and distress in his voice told me he needed someone to talk to, someone to listen to him. “John, I’ve been retired for two years now and as I sat in my chair one night and pondered the years I realized my life has been a complete waste of time and I believe God looks at me like a big joke!” “How can you say that Ben; you’ve worked hard, raised a beautiful family, have many grandchildren and you’re seen by all that know you as a moral and righteous man who wants to live for his Lord.” “That’s the problem! I spent several years studying God’s word and praying He would someday make me a pastor. I’ve taught Sunday School, and preached from the pulpit on numerous occasions, but have never been given the chance to pastor a church; that’s all I ever wanted. It’s like God saying, “You want to serve me, you got to be kidding!” Is anyone getting a picture of why I almost hung up on this guy?  When finished with his venting I gave him my reasons why I felt he was wrong, that he had been used of God more than he was willing to see. He listened to me quietly but I sensed he didn’t agree as we hung up.

Now I was the one sitting back in a chair and pondering my life; was it a waste like Ben felt his was. My heart’s desire was always to play music and when I became a Christian I just knew God was calling me to great things in His name. So, I studied, practiced and worked hard to achieve the goal of being a musician in the service of the King. And where did that get me? Well I spent the next 39 years working in a metallurgical lab in the gray iron industry. Kids came along that had needs and other domestic responsibilities to where my dreams got pushed farther out until finally I realized they were out of reach. Was I disappointed? Yep, truthfully speaking I was. I suppose like Ben that should have been enough to devastate my life. Nah, I don’t think so!

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

I’m sure I have written on this subject before but my friend Ben struck a nerve, one that makes me wonder how many others think the way this man does.

In my case I had a plan and direction I was heading, only it wasn’t the one God had for me. When placed side by side I now see God had the greater of the two. He blessed with an incredible Lady to be my wife, three beautiful children that all love the Lord and has increased the family to 15. He gave me a job that I not only enjoyed, but loved the people I grew old with all those years. I couldn’t even begin to count the ones that I shared my faith or prayed with. As for music, my heart has been so blessed to be part of a local worship band that words cannot begin so describe the joy it gives me, and that’s not counting the times Cathy and I have performed for audiences from 1 to 1,000. So, did God make a mistake or mislead Ben and me? To the contrary, He gave us a better path to “Travel the Rock Road” than we could have imagined.

There’s so much more I could say on this subject but I’m not going to tonight; only that I pray my pal Ben and anyone else who struggles believing they’ve lived a wasted life will take time to really look at the big picture that a Loving God had already prepared for them. If you’re someone who’s never trusted Christ or sought God’s will for your life, there’s no time like the present to get started. I’m willing to wager you’ll find yourself happier with your life than you’ve ever been before.

Lord I know you have a plan for each of our lives. I pray for direction for each to follow it, patience to wait on it, and the knowledge to know when it comes. Amen

See ya next time.