Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. –John 14:1-3
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:… Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. – I Corinthians 2:5-6, 8-9
A few days ago I was speaking with one of the young college students in our church and she informed me that there are times she wishes she could peek into the future and know what was going to happen. She went on to explain that she doesn’t like surprises. As we conversed, I began to encourage her to wait patiently on the Lord. I also tried to encourage her about the fact that God intentionally holds the future from us because He doesn’t want us to ruin it, and He enjoys surprising us with great things. As we continued our conversation I was reminded of one of my most memorable Christmases: I surprised my wife with a new car – a Mercedes E320!
What was particularly gratifying was the planning and plotting that took place in order to bring it about – it started a month before Christmas. I left home as any other day and told my wife I would be tied up for most of the day. Unbeknownst to her, I met with an automobile dealer and we went out of state to purchase her vehicle. I called her (via mobile telephone) and told her I had been busy and I would be home a little late. To make a long story short, I drove the car to the dealer’s home and left it there for a month. I shared with my daughters the surprise, but they were sworn to secrecy.
The day before Christmas I went to retrieve the car from the dealer’s home, and parked the car around the corner from our house. That Christmas Eve we went caroling as usual and I started an argument with my wife. The following Christmas Day we went to church service – my wife was still angry with me. I instructed my oldest daughter to come later – after she had pulled the new car into the driveway and placed a red bow on the hood. During church service my wife wasn’t very friendly – I on the other hand had a great time!! My oldest daughter left church early and arrived home to prepare the video camera.
When we turned onto our street my wife noticed a vehicle in the driveway, but didn’t realize it was hers until she saw the bow and the video camera rolling. Needless to say she almost fainted. She cried and hugged me so that I thought the very breath would leave me.
What does this story have to do with the people of God you may ask? This is what He does for us. This year I have noticed a change in the spiritual atmosphere. Our Church just experienced a great consecration. We went on a 21 day fast and the Lord blessed us tremendously. Just as we were settling, we attended our Jurisdiction’s One Day Gospel Feast. Not only did our Bishop (Bishop Ted Thomas, Sr.) preach about practically the same things we have been ministering here at Holiness Tabernacle, he put the entire jurisdiction on another 40 day fast!! I just finished speaking with one of the members who has family in the Greater New Orleans area. They informed me that someone in their church was ministering and they began to repeat the theme God has given us this year – “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet!” Why is the Lord sending us the same message over and over? He is planning something BIG and He wants us to get prepared!!
Those of you who know God, know He doesn’t do anything in a small way. Just as I went through a great deal of planning to surprise my wife, God is planning something great for His people. Just as I enjoyed plotting and orchestrating with the dealership, the dealer, my daughters and yes even my wife (because I knew what the outcome would be), God enjoys orchestrating our lives because for us there is an expected end.
The problem is many of us don’t like surprises – we want to peek. It may be that waiting and trusting requires us to have patience and release control over our lives. God on the other hand, enjoys surprising us with good and perfect things. Just as I enjoyed hiding the gift from my wife – and to think that last day it was right around the corner – God has hidden some things from us. Although we do not see it, the blessing is right around the corner.
Anyone who knows my wife knows she is an incredible woman of God; I love her dearly and would do anything for her. How do you think God feels about us? The scriptures tell us if we that are evil know how to give our children good gifts, how much more will God in heaven bless us (Matt 7:11 or Luke 11:13).
Child of God – be encouraged, hold on and believe and trust God for great things this year. When God told Abram (Abraham) to leave his father’s house and go to a land that He would show him, Abram had no idea what God was up to; when God told Samuel to visit Jesse and anoint one of his sons, neither Jesse nor any of his sons (including David) had any idea what God was planning; when Jesus told the disciples to return to Jerusalem and tarry (wait) for the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), they had no idea what was in store for them.
The psalmist wrote “…many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow; and I know who holds my hand.” Saints – God is up to something Big and I cannot wait to see what it is!!
I bless you in the name of the Lord,
Pastor Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.