MY PERCEPTION:
We were lost. Behind me there were 19 other cars waiting for me to make a move. I was their leader. I looked around and that panic feeling came over me again. “I’ve brought 40 people out into the middle of nowhere and have no clue what to do.” My volunteers were beginning to get restless. I checked my cellphone once again, no service.
As I got out of my car and walked from car to car trying to make peace, I couldn’t help but revert to a familiar theme of mine when I find myself in a tough spot – start blaming others. “Why in the world was I assigned Kingston Springs? I have never even been out here before! There were other people who live out this way that should have taken this area!” Our job that day was to help people begin the cleanup process from the flood that hit Nashville and surrounding areas earlier that week. We came out to Kingston Springs as a part of Cross Point’s “Serving Saturday.” I was leading a group of 40 and we were on our way to a neighborhood that I heard was in dire need. Somehow we had gotten lost and had become the ones that needed help.
In the distance I could see a dirty old truck driving the opposite way. Maybe they would see us standing on the side of the road and stop and help us find our way.
BOB’S PERCEPTION:
Bob was on his way back home. Well, what was left of his home. He and his wife were returning from the store where they bought supplies and drinks for them and their neighbors. The devastation that the flood brought into their lives was almost too much to bear. They didn’t know where to start. Their home had been completely submerged underwater and the water didn’t recede for 4 days. When Bob finally got to walk into his home for the first time he saw that he had lost it all. Now it was time to clean up and salvage what he could.
Driving back to his home in his old dirty truck that day Bob decided to pray. “God, we need help. Please send help.” He drove over a little hill and on the other side of that hill was 20 cars lined up on the side of the road. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
He stopped and rolled down his window. With faith that could move a mountain he asked, “Are you the people that are supposed to help me?”
“Yes,” I replied. “We sure are.”
We followed Bob back to his house and were able to help him and 2 of his neighbors. Bob said that when he pulled up he yelled to his neighbors, “Help is on the way! You won’t believe what is on the way.” I met some amazing people that day that I will never forget. Bob, Sammy, Kim and Moose will forever hold a place in my heart.
My perception of the situation was that I had failed. I immediately began to try to control the situation. It never occurred to me that God was busy writing a story that day.
Bob’s perception of the situation was that he expected a miracle to happen on the other side of that hill.
How many times do we let our perceptions interfere with the work God is doing?
THE REALITY:
We weren’t lost that day. We were right where we were supposed to be.
Bro… amazing! Hearing you tell it Sunday night was one thing, but reading it here, with the way you framed it, was another. I could visualize this happening, and when Bob drove over the little hill, I totally got emotional reading this. I've been thinking a lot about where I'm at in my life right now and whether my perception of where I am is getting in the way of the greater story God is writing. I don't want that to be the case. Excellent post, my friend.
You are in a meeting and I want to come pull you out and hug you. I wanted to hear this story when I saw your tweet. Such a cool moment. We serve a mighty God! Grant, I'm in tears!
What a blessing it was for my wife and I to be part of that group Saturday. God bless you and everyone at Cross Point who are organizing this great work.
Absolutely amazing, Wes. I love when God does stuff like that. Thank you for being humble enough to share that.
So proud of you Wes!
just heard about this from @pwilson's twitter feed – figured i would stop by and read it – THANKS for sharing! definitely cool to see how GOD is moving and working through this whole situation city-wide – may we all just continue to look with new eyes :]
blessings!
Oh, so amazing!! How many times do we miss a miracle in the making 'cause we were too busy looking for a different way . . . God couldn't possibly want me here at this time at this place! It doesn't make any human sense!! Thanks for the reminder to "let go and let God" . . .
Commented a few second ago and I'll say it again, you and your fellow Crosspointers are AWESOME!!
hey guy, thanks for sharing that. been there done that. and this was a great reminder.
Dude…so freaking good. I got emotional too…dang it!! There is something extremely special going on in our church!! Thank you for sharing this!! I'm proud to call you my friend.
What an amazing story!! God had his hand on that entire situation and you were right where you were supposed to be.
Truly a Divine appointment. God's plan is always so much better than our own.
Boy things like this sure do sit us down and humble us as Christians and as leaders. Thank you so much for sharing this
Further proves my theory that generally it's not us waiting for God…rather he is waiting for us (to get it). What an awesome story & a great reminder for us to join the plan God already has in progress. Thanks for sharing.
Thats the way God rolls bro! Obedience is sometimes blind….treasures sent up for you in heaven bro!
God is in control of all our circumstances, and He uses us even when we don't have a clue.
God bless you all!
West TN,
Wink
Great story! God writes the best ones, doesn't He?
You were an amazing answer to a prayer. <3
If pride is one of the deadly sins, then I have been sinning like crazy! So proud of CP and their relief efforts. So proud to be a part of it! Amazing post!
Dude. That is amazing. Such a good reminder that what we are needing might be right over that hill!
My Pastor in D.C. (Mark Batterson) used to say that God wants to get us where He wants to go even more than we want to get where He wants us to go and that He is in the business of divinely placing us in the right place at the right time…even when it seems like the wrong place at the wrong time. This is such a perfect example of God's sovereignty and also how personal He is in the way He answers prayers. What an awesome way for you to literally be such a specific answer to someone's prayer. Thanks so much for sharing.
This is the VERY way God works in our lives. To take a simple mistake/fault/coincidence and reveal that it all had a part in His plan; that is our God.
Well said, Wes.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I love how you broke it down your perspective vs Bob's. Its so true that often we see things in one way because of our mindset when God is still very much at work if we will just get out of the way and trust Him. Fabulous lesson and so glad you helped remind me of it today. Thank you
That you for sharing! It is such good news to know that God is yet answering prayers and knows what we need when we need it. Bless you for your willingness to allow God to use you!
I have struggled through a lot today and needed to come back and read this again. Your story reminds me of the story in Acts 10 when the angel told Cornelius to send men to go find Simon Peter, who they didn't even know, and while they were on their way, the Lord told Simon Peter to go down stairs and tell the men (who he had never met) the he was the one they were looking for.
I needed to be reminded that God is always writing a better story. Thanks again.
wow what an amazing story wes! and i have to admit…you, Pete, Miranda, and Jarrod have been in my prayers a lot lately. You were all a Godsend to me in KC…..reminding me of God's love for me and reigniting my passion to serve. Thank you for this long-distance inspiration!
—
With faith that could move a mountain, he asked, “Are you the people that are supposed to help me?”
“Yes,” I replied. “We sure are.”
—
Got goosebumps reading that part. Amazing story. Amazing God who is in control of everything.
This is our God.
Love how you break it into your and Bob’s perception.
Reminding us how God works in ways higher than we can ever see or imagine.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Very nice…now I'm wiping tears from my keyboard. " Carpe Diem"
The funniest word in the English language to a Christian: coincidence. Great story and nice reminder that where we are is where we are suppose to be and sometime we simply must wait.
Warren,
I completely understand that and would want to put it on that as well. It would make life a little easier to understand knowing that everything is just a coincidence and not the result of a loving, caring creator. But I have experienced circumstances and situations in my life that point to something far different.
* too much to bear
(unless of course nudity is involved)
Ah, thanks! I used bear in the first draft and changed it once it made me think of the animal. Will change it now. Thanks.
Yes I am in tears.
Pingback: Gutted
Thanks for framing that for me, Wes. When we were out there, I was so focused on the task at hand that I never realized what a valuable lesson there was to be learned… We weren't lost. We were right where we were supposed to be.
Hey Wes,I'm Bob's ex wife and Bob and Kim's forever friend.They called right after to tell me this story.You guy's were parked at my Church when you found each other.I cried then and then again when I told the story at church on Sunday and again when I read this.God is truly awesome if anyone has any doubts this is the story to tell.Thank you all for your help and with God's grace we will all get through this even stronger.
Pingback: Eye Check