Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7). NIV
"Jesus replied, 'You don’t understand now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'"
John 13:7 (NIV)
My dear Aunt Jesse passed away in December 2022, and we found ourselves in Dickson, Tennessee, for her funeral. After spending some much-needed quality time with loved ones to honor Aunt Jesse's life, we decided to attend Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama, the following morning.
We woke up early for the two-plus hour drive and went on our way singing, praying, and praising God our Creator. As we neared the university, Pastor Patrecia Langley saw State Line Adventist Church on the way and wanted to stop by to greet God's people. Since I had already passed the church, I looked for a place to turn around. As I turned, I almost got my car stuck in the mud in someone’s yard.
When we got to the church, I lingered outside to take pictures. Soon, a car pulled up with an angry-looking couple, barefoot, saying that I had no right to turn in their yard, ruining their lawn. They asked for my information, and I gave it very willingly.
Here we were, just heading to church after a beautiful funeral with loved ones, and such an incident would occur to ruin the day and possibly ruin the memory of the entire weekend! But sometimes, we do not know God’s plan. We do not understand His ways and how He can use something negative for something ultimately good.
A church member who witnessed the commotion outside went and got Pastor Langley and the Adventist Community Service (ACS) director. After they heard what had transpired, we prayed in the parking lot and decided to go to the couple's home.
When we arrived, Pastor Langley apologized to the couple, and the ACS director reassured them that the church would take care of everything. Pastor Langley, a praying woman of God, asked the couple if it was ok if she prayed with them. Right away, the couple softened up. After the Spirit-filled prayer, Pastor Langley asked if they had any prayer requests they wanted her to keep before the LORD. The couple then shared that their youngest daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, and they had taken their daughter and her children in to live with them. Pastor Langley once again prayed with the couple lifting their daughter and grandchildren in prayer. Once she was finished ministering to the couple, they decided to drop all charges. What a blessing!
Call to Action
At times, things may be happening to us that we do not understand, but God has asked us to trust Him. We need to trust God in the good and bad times. If we had not returned to the house to apologize and pray with them, we would have never known what that couple was going through three houses down from the church. Not only are we to trust God in every situation in our lives, but we are told in James 5:16 to “confess [our] sins to each other and pray for each other so that [we] may be healed” (NLT). We are living in the last days, and many people are hurting and in need of prayer. Let's make it a habit to humble ourselves, pray for each other, and pray with each other so we don't have to carry our burdens alone.
Scripture noted as NIV above is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
