Thursday 23 September 2021

But God had decided otherwise ! (1)

“I intended to build a house that would be a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the Lord... but God said to me : You cannot build a house in My honor, for you are a man of war and you have shed blood” 1 Chronicles 28. 2-3

Vincent's passion for pastoral ministry led him to the Borinage region in Belgium, where he became involved in the evangelization of minors, healing the wounded, feeding the hungry and touching the hearts of the whole population. His church was always packed, because the poor locals wanted to know this Jesus that Vincent was talking about. But the latter's superiors did not like his behavior : he dressed in second-hand clothes, himself lived in a sort of shack, and distributed his money to help the poor. “You look worse than the people you're supposed to be teaching !” his superiors told him. “But wouldn't Jesus have done the same ?" Vincent replied. His church council disagreed and he was ultimately fired from his ministry. He was greatly affected. His only desire had been to build a church that would glorify God. Why then did God allow such a thing to happen to him ? Soon after, he observed an elderly miner who was struggling to carry a sack of coal and couldn't help but sketch the hunched figure passing in front of him. Without realizing it at the time, the young man had just discovered his true calling. This young preacher that the official church had just rejected was to become an artist one day famous throughout the world : Vincent Van Gogh ! How do you react when God comes to interrupt the course of your walk and prevents you from going any further in that direction ? Are you crying ? Do you get angry ? Are you expressing bitterness or accepting His will ? David said : “I intended to build a house... for the ark of the covenant... But God said to me : It is your son Solomon who will build My house” (1 Chronicles 28. 2-6). When God rejected his plans, David accepted the “But God...” and added, “God chose me from all my father’s family to be king over all Israel...” (v. 4). Instead of complaining, David rejoiced at the blessing he had received from God when He made the humble Shepherd that he was, the undisputed King of an entire nation ! Let us meditate on his attitude !

Source (His Word for Today)