What a joy it is for me to write this article for the Messenger— my first since being involved in a serious auto accident at the end of July. As many of you know, I sustained serious injuries that required multiple surgeries and a lengthy stay in the hospital.
However, by God’s grace I am slowly, but surely, progressing in my recovery and am prayerful I will be able to fully return to work in the coming months. Jamy and I simply cannot find the words to express our appreciation to our Oklahoma Baptists family for the outpouring of love, messages, cards and acts of kindness that we have received.
We are humbled to be loved and cared for by so many. Most of all, we want to thank you for diligently praying for us. We have sensed the Lord’s presence through every step of the way and believe your prayers on our behalf have made a big difference. From the bottom of our hearts, my family thanks you.
There are so many things I wish I could write here about what the Lord has taught me through this trying time. Perhaps the biggest lesson was the reminder that my life is not my own. More than 40 years ago, I died to myself and embraced Christ as my Lord when I committed my life to follow Him. Today, in this crucible of physical and emotional hardship, the Lord has reminded me in vivid and powerful ways that my life is His and whatever He wants to do or allow in my life for His glory should be my greatest desire.
As a pastor, I have mentioned in countless sermons verses like Col. 3:3, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” and 1 Cor. 6:19-20, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” Perhaps more than ever before, I have learned the reality of these texts:
—I have learned in full measure that when life is not your own it truly is a vapor (Jms. 4:14). One moment I was driving down the highway and the next I was in an ICU surrounded by my family. Make sure you are following Christ today, because you truly do not know the moment when you will stand before Him in judgment.
—When life is not your own, you learn that you are not the one living, but rather Christ is living His life through you (Gal. 2:20). This is what enables you to make it through some of the toughest, darkest moments of life. How grateful we should be that we can rely on Jesus to empower and provide for us in every circumstance of life.
—When life is not your own, you learn to submit to God who may take your life down a path you never thought it would go in order to glorify Him in ways you never thought possible. Rather than lamenting what has happened to me, I am choosing every day to see how God will use what has happened for His kingdom.
There is much more I look forward to sharing in the days ahead as I get to again, Lord willing, be able to preach in churches, meet with pastors and resume my work for the convention. My goal is to be able to give my address in person at our Annual Meeting on Monday evening, November 11. I look forward to sharing some new and exciting things we will be launching at the state convention in order to help us accomplish our vision of serving churches, serving pastors and carrying out our gospel ministries. I hope to see you there!
