Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Valley (08/10/06)
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TITLE: Feelings or facts? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Anthony David
08/14/06 -
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The music was loud. The worship leader was inspired. The praise and worship team sang from their very hearts. The youth at the conference were aflame with zeal- a zeal to worship and praise God.
Adam and Brian were feeling the vibrations in their body. Their joy swelled as they joined in the song. They lifted their hands along with the hundreds around them. The auditorium reverberated with the sound of music. The spirits of the youth caught fire as it were in unison.
Later on they all listened with absorption as the messages went on. Holy living, Digging gold from the Word, Excelling for God, were some of the topics on which men and women of God spoke
Over lunch, Adam and Brian sat in a corner. “What a wonderful time we’re are having Brian!” said Adam. “And to think that I almost didn’t make it!” exclaimed Brian. “Thank you, Adam or insisting to take me with you.”
“The music, the songs, the messages, the fellowship. There’s nothing which I feel I can miss in this conference.” Said Adam as they went back to get a refill of food.
The last sermon found them immersed in contemplation. “Only if you are really meaning it, that you are making a pact with God to stand up for him, only then please stand up.” urged the theme speaker. “Please don’t get up as others are doing it, think, pray and then decide.”
Brian and Adam sprang up from their seats, inspired to stand up for their Lord. They found most of the youth in the hall also on their feet. The final dedication prayer brought tears to their eyes.
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“Hi Brian! How are things with you?” asked Adam as he stepped into Brian’s room at the hostel. “What’s the matter Brian?” he continued, “You look so sad!”
“Well Adam,” replied Brian as he wiped his eyes, “I am feeling terribly low for the past few days. I am not getting that feeling of spiritual upliftment we enjoyed at the conference. I feel blue, low and dispirited. What’s the matter with me? Am I still a believer, I wonder.’
Adam approached Brian and put an arm around his shoulder. “Dear brother” he began, “You are placing a lot of trust on feelings. Feelings come. Feelings go. No one can feel the same always. We can’t always be on a mountain top. We can’t always be on a spiritual high as we did at the conference. We need to experience valleys and ‘lows” as you are right now. But remember Brian, our faith is based on facts. It is the Word of God which is a fact. And the Bible, God’s word says, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)”
“Well Adam,” said Brian quietly, “Is He with me when I don’t feel like it?”
“Indeed He is,” responded Adam quickly, “That’s what the Bible says. Doesn’t it? And we as believers take the Word of God to be living and true – every promise and every word.”
A slow smile hovered around Brian’s face. “Then… then my feelings don’t actually matter. I need to stand upon the solid word of God. And His word is true forever. Yes Adam, I also remember that the Bible says that the Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb.13:8).”
He continued, “He is the same Lord today as He was on the days of the conference. Now I can surely walk past this valley. The Lord is my shepherd indeed. He is my unfailing support, and not my transient feelings. Thanks so much for helping me out of my valley Adam.”
Both friends knelt down to pray and thank God for His faithfulness.
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