Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
FULFILLED means brought to completion or reality; to achieve or realize something desired, promised, or predicted. To fulfill oneself means to gain happiness or satisfaction by fully developing ones abilities or character. Finally, it meas to carry out a task, duty or role as required, pledged or expected; to satisfy or meet a requirement or condition. It is from an Old English word fullfyllan meaning to ‘fill up, or make full.’ Often when we quote the passage above from Proverbs 13:12, we focus on the sadness, frustration and impatience of deferred hopes, dreams and desires. We seldom celebrate the fruit from the tree of life when our longings are fulfilled.That happened to me this past weekend.
Last week’s word was on the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, an annual harvest celebration in the Judaic culture. One of the things commemorated was the faithfulness of God to increase us and bless all of our work! (Deut. 16:14-16) After several years of discussions, scheduling conflicts, and other kinds of opposition, I was FINALLY able to bring our friend and brother Pastor William McDowell here for a night of worship. Pastor McDowell, an internationally known Grammy award nominated, Dove and
Stellar award-winning Christian artist with a powerful, life-changing ministry, hails from this area. He has ministered in over 40 countries, but had not ever been invited for a concert here in his home town. So I decided to collaborate with my friend Pastor Freddie Piphus to do two things: 1. Celebrate the GLORY of the Lord Jesus in worship and praise at the Feast of Tabernacles, and 2. Honor Pastor William for all he has done to advance the Kingdom of God. There were times in the journey toward this vision’s fulfillment that we were not sure if it would happen, or if people would attend, etc. Because Pastor McDowell’s church and ministry had recently experienced 32 doctor-confirmed miracles
through the presence of God in worship, we knew there would be spiritual opposition to his coming to this Region. Then there’s the ‘a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown’ thing. (Mark 6:3-5) Still, by faith we expected the presence of the Lord to shift the atmosphere in Cincinnati, bringing breakthroughs in individual lives and pronouncing healing of what divides in a city that is top ten in segregation. People of all ages and races came. We knew we would see emotional and spiritual healing, but also believed to see someone physically healed…and all that happened! Glory to God!
Pastor William was honored with a glorious proclamation and eloquent words from Councilman Wendell Young as the day was deemed, “Pastor William McDowell Day,” in Cincinnati. I had not done an event of this magnitude in 12 years, and it was a personal restoration of abilities that had been on the shelf too long. Venita Thomas, a military veteran, reported that she was able to bend her knee and kneel down for the first time in 10 years! A miracle! All that we’d desired and worked for was FULFILLED!! Be encouraged and persevere! What you desire may take longer and be harder than what you initially thought; but endure to the end. The fruit of your tree will be JOY! |
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THIS SUNDAY
9:30 AM Class
Youth Room
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
