The pile of mail lying on my kitchen table was graced by familiar stationary. For years, this correspondence was a welcomed friend. I was always anxious to read and celebrate the wonderful news it would contain. Now – I wasn’t so eager. It served as a reminder of how life can change in an instant. Was it really only a few months ago that I received that 6:00 a.m. phone call?
At first, I thought I had heard the wrong name. I began thinking of every “Mike” that I knew. There was no way that God could error … not Mike … and in such a senseless accident. There were so many questions and no answers. Wasn’t this the man that had dedicated his life to a world-wide ministry? Wasn’t this the one who went into the prisons and schools – places where so many others would never choose to minister for lack of status or wealth? Not the Mike that everyone loved! “God, you do realize this man and loved You passionately and served You fervently?” “Surely not the Mike that I served beside of on the streets of Africa … not the one who is like a brother to me … not my friend!”
Mike Jenkins was the type of person that impacted everyone he met. He openly shared his love for God, his beautiful wife Denise, and his family everywhere he traveled. Mike never got over the amazing grace that had been bestowed upon his life. Why God would take him at a time when his ministry was exploding is inconceivable to us.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8How can the created question The Creator? The truth is that God doesn’t make mistakes. He is still in control, and His plan is always a good one.
Many times over the past few months, I’ve tried to write about how Mike and his ministry have impacted my life. The emotions have been too raw, and the words haven’t come. Until they do, I would like to share the bitter-sweet reminder received by mail. That familiar stationary was the newsletter from MJEA. Every morning Mike sent an email devotional. This newsletter contained the last one he wrote. It was typical Mike … encouraging us all to trust God even when we didn’t understand. (March 21, 2012.)
Allow God to Be God
What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar. —Romans 3:3-4, NAS
Everyone, at some point in their lives, feels that God has betrayed them and let them down. They find He seems more like an enemy than a friend. Nine out of ten people say, “Well, God, if that’s how You want it to be, then I’ll go my way and You go Yours.” Only one out of ten, I reckon, breaks that betrayal barrier and holds on, like Jacob who wrestled with the angel and said, “I won’t let go unless you bless Me.”
The same kind of thing happened to Abraham. We read in Genesis 22:2 how God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son—his only son. That made no sense to Abraham. But Abraham showed he was willing to obey God, and God honored him for what he was prepared to do.
Sooner or later, God will ask you to do something that makes no sense at the time. Perhaps the barrier you have to break is the one that doesn’t make sense at the time, but you must give God the benefit of the doubt. Abraham obeyed God and was never sorry.
We want God to be partial for us, but we have to come to the place where we allow God to be God. Would we affirm Him if He were to work powerfully in another church, in another denomination? Would we say, “That is God”?
During the American Civil War, someone came up to President Lincoln and asked, “Is God on our side or their side?” Lincoln’s reply was, “All I want to know is whether we are on God’s side.” That is what we need to learn. When it comes to understanding God, we need to be on God’s side and let God be God.
I miss you Buddy.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.“ Psalm 116:15
You many learn more out more about Mike’s testimony and Ministry at: http://mjea.org/
and on his Facebook Memorial Page at: http://www.facebook.com/MikeJenkins12#!/groups/135430146585058/
Spurring you on today to trust when there are no answers,
Rhonda
Hebrews 10:24
Rhonda H. Shaver
Spurring Hearts 