But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 1 Corinthians 2:14-14 Holman CSB
I developed a love of reading at a very early age. My favorite thing to read was the dictionary and encyclopedia. I would lie down on the couch and spent a many summer days taken away to places beyond my capacity. One of the reasons I loved the dictionary was it provided me with words to use when I was angry or sad. Those emotions had to be suppressed, so I had to find a way to express myself in my dairy.
As a result of reading almost anything in front of me, I began yearning for an understanding of the Bible at an early age, around 10 or 11. The summer of 1975 I started trying to read the Bible from beginning to end. But I soon became overwhelmed. I had so many questions. I would go to church with a head full of questions and thoughts. And I would greet my mother at the door after she returned from work with the burning question of the day. It seemed that most adults were too busy or had so many grown up things to handle that my questions got in their way.
Yet, my yearning increased. And I would spend moments crying out to the Lord asking for forgiveness because I was afraid that I wasn’t doing something he wanted me to know. I talked to my mother about baptism and joined the church. I started going to Bible study and noticed there weren’t any youth at Bible study. I walked to Bible study with my mother and was so excited to go. I felt like a big girl. But this one particular night, the elder was reading a particular text. As he was speaking from the text, I realized he was saying something totally different from what the text said. So, I am looking around at the adults and no one is saying anything. Everyone was listening with blank stares.
I raised my hands. The elder kept talking. I continued to raise my hands. The elder finally acknowledged my hand. I asked for understanding. He scolded me for interrupting and implying he may have been incorrect. I held my head down in shame. No one spoke up. The room silenced. The elder’s chest is out, proud of his moment to set things in order.
My heart was sad and I learned then not to question anything a man of God had to say…..at least out loud. I was quiet and shy and remained that way until college. I would listen to the sermons and other’s talk about the Bible and always felt as if what the saints were saying was much more complicated than what I was reading. I was convinced the Lord would not require something of my life and then make it unattainable.
At age 15, I was blessed with a youth pastor, Pastor James Parham. And he had such enormous patience with my endless questions. He was able to teach me how to study and read the Bible so that my literal mind wouldn’t be swept away. I continued my quest to read the Bible through and when I finally got to Proverbs, I was captivated. The poetic words just spoke to my heart. The lessons were clear and concise and I knew how to research by then. And my quest continued….
I never stopped studying and the Lord never stopped placing people in my path. So, let’s fast forward to 2011. This weekend we will be celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our pastor, Pastor Tacuma Johnson, a man of God. I have sat under the teaching of Pastor Johnson with rapt attention for 3 years. He has such a deep sincere desire for the people of God to experience a real relationship with God.
He has taken the greatest book ever, the Bible, that some have made unattainable and broken it in pieces to complete the many puzzles in my life. He has never once showed impatience when I gave a blank stare meaning, “What? Huh? Say that again!”
Over the years Pastor Johnson's message has been clear. That message is that “God is your source.” From the sermon “A Sit Down Anointing' to “The Deep Things” to “ Count Yourself” he has left the congregations with messages such as:
*Seek God First”
*”God begins with the end in mind.”
*”Some people try to make you powerless and make you think they are your life line. You have the power to speak to your situation.”
*”How wonderful life would be for those who have a REAL relationship with God.” (message to the youth)
*”Worship like you care more about what God thinks!”
*”Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get to the back of the boat. And stop looking at the storm!”
*”Vison – life changes when you see it, not when you get it.”
*”Count yourself, Count Yourself New, Count Yourself Alive”
*Again.....”Seek God First” Matthew 6:33
Many of us are uncomfortable when someone speaks about how the Spirit is working through men and women of God. Please don't be distracted by my words. Celebrate with me an honorable man of God who has submitted his life to the Most High. A man who loves, honors and respects his helpmeet , Lady Dr. Michelle Johnson and father of a wonderful little girl.
When someone passes away, sometimes there are lines of people waiting to say things they never said when the person was alive. Today has presented me another opportunity to say something kind to a wonderful person.
God bless you , Pastor Johnson and thank you for allowing God to lead you.
~Blessings
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