"The Lord never builds a bridge of faith except under the feet of the faith-filled traveler. If He builds the bridge a rod ahead, it would not be a bridge of faith. That which is of sight is not of faith....
...We sit and weep in vain. The voice of the Almighty said, "Up and onward forevermore." Let us move on and step out boldly, though it be into the night, and we can scarcely see the way. The path will open, as we progress, like the trail through the forest, or the Alpine pass, which discloses but a few rods of its length from any single point of view. Press on! If necessary, we will find even the pillar of cloud and fire to mark our journey through the wilderness. There are guides and wayside inns along the road. We will find food, clothes and friends at every stage of the journey, and as Rutherford so quaintly says: "However matters go, the worst will be a tired traveler and a joyful and sweet welcome home."" Streams in the Desert

My father-in-law has an appointment today with a surgeon. He's got major arteries in both legs blocked, causing pain, and now they say the only thing left to do is bypass. It's been difficult for him, and I think he's fearful of the risks associated with the operation. The other day I asked him what the worst that could happen was... I wasn't being stupid or insensitive, I was trying to understand his worst case scenario. The obvious answer (and the one I got paired with an incredulous look) is "death". But not so for a believer! For us, to die is gain! Or, like the above quote, we end life just a world-weary pilgrim taken up to his true home. Honestly, the worst that could happen in my estimation would be for him to lose his legs (and therefore his ability to play golf, which he does daily), and then get angry and bitter and stop loving God. Death is cake compared to a life begrudgingly tolerated.

My prayers for him are heartfelt and simple. I pray that God makes His glory shown - preferably through Bill's miraculous recovery and subsequent re-dedication of his entire life in joyful obedience to the Lord. I pray that for myself and would pray that for every Christian. Looking over my priorities and how far I have come but how far I have yet to go, I am humbled and ashamed, but hopeful! I know that it's not possible to expect "perfection" as a human (in the "I never sin" sense), but it is practical to expect with great anticipation the perfection (completion) of God's workmanship of me, his prized jar of clay. I strive to be moldable my entire life so that what He had planned for me from my conception before the world began would be accomplished to His glory. May it be so, Lord.

Father God, I thank You for Bill's life and the ministry You have done through him. I thank You for continuing to love, teach, shape, and use him throughout his long walk with You. I ask that You continue to help me appreciate him the way You do. To see him as Your special creation, and one that You are proud of. I pray that You help me keep pressing on through this life of faith, boldly stepping onto unfinished bridges and towards blind curves in the path. Make my paths level, show me where You want me. Give me faith for the journey. Just as nothing is impossible for You, Lord, nothing of any value is possible WITHOUT You! Thank You in advance for the miracles You are doing and continue to do in my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters. May I always have eyes to see, ears to hear, and lips to praise You!