Why oft times does it take a situation or a jolt to our path of life to restore our heart and mind to the things of the Lord?
Daniel 4:34, King Nebuchadnezzar warned by Daniel. The King did not heed that warning. The result, King Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind. Literally! For seven years, he grazed on grass. His hair grew as feathers and his fingernails became as claws. Seven years of his life, a consequence of his choices. He chose to exalt himself instead of God Almighty, BUT the story does not end there. The King, after seven years of living as an animal, LOOKED TO THE HEAVENS, praised God. HE CAME TO HIMSELF! It was at this time, he was restored to his kingdom and proclaimed, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, BECAUSE everything HE does is right and all HIS ways are just. And those who walk in pride HE is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37) King Nebuchadnezzar knew this first hand in his life.
Not heeding God’s place in our lives, nor acknowledging HIS work in our heart, choosing our way, the results, consequences that could be far reaching, even into the generations to follow.
“Be wise, wiser than your year,” is what I often stated to our children. For you see, I have seen first hand those who tossed Christ aside and those who have hung on to him for their lives. At 18, I was at a crossroad. My way or God’s? Admonished by the wise words of my parents. What caused me to listen and heed? A decision, at the age of 12, while on my knees, to be all in for Jesus, brought back to my mind, by my sweet Mother. God used that time six years earlier to give me the jolt needed and helped me to get back on track. At 18 years old, I listened and heeded and asked for forgiveness. It was only by God’s amazing grace, that the wise words of my parents, permeated my soul and opened the eyes of my heart with a renewed vision for HIM.
I have often thanked my parents, for the role they played. God using them in this pivotal point of my life. It was a God ordained, God changing, God moment in my life. One I will be eternally grateful for. One reason, the story of my life would have been written differently, THIS I KNOW.
