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There are moments in life when we feel an urge to move in a certain
direction not really knowing why. I truly believe God uses us at times to
help and encourage that one who we had no idea needed to be encouraged and
lifted up. God knows the heart of His people and knows when they need an
extra touch from Him telling them that God is still with that person even
though they may be going through a tough time in their life. I pray that
every believer stays sensitive to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit
so that when He leads them in a new direction, they will be quick to
follow and obey His voice. (Proverbs 3:5-6) (1 Kings 19:11-12)
This is a good story that shows what great results come forth when we
follow the Lord's leading. I hope this message ministers to your heart to
always be quick to follow God's leading and know that in doing so you will
be helping to make a difference that can never be erased.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
As a teacher of origami (the ancient Japanese art of paper folding) at the
LaFarge Lifelong Learning Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Art Beaudry
was asked to represent the school at an exhibit at a large mall in Milwaukee.
He decided to take along a couple hundred folded paper cranes to pass out
to people who stopped at his booth. Before that day, however, something
strange happened - a voice told him to find a piece of gold foil paper and
make a gold origami crane. The strange voice was so insistent that Art
actually found himself rummaging through his collection of origami papers
at home until he found one flat, shiny piece of gold foil.
"Why am I doing this?" he asked himself. Art had never worked with the
shiny gold paper. It didn't fold as easily or neatly as the crisp
multicolored papers. But that little voice kept nudging. Art harrumphed
and tired to ignore the voice. "Why gold foil anyway? Paper is much easier
to work with." He grumbled.
The voice continued, "Do it! And you must give it away tomorrow to a
special person." By now Art was getting a little cranky... "What special
person?" he asked the voice. "You'll know which one," the voice said. That
evening Art very carefully folded and shaped the unforgiving gold foil
until it became as graceful and delicate as a real crane about to take
flight. He packed the exquisite bird in the box along with about 200
colorful paper cranes he'd made over the previous few weeks.
The next day at the mall, dozens upon dozens of people stopped by Art's
booth to ask questions about origami. He demonstrated the art. He folded,
unfolded and refolded. He explained the intricate details, the need for
sharp creases.
Then there was a woman standing in front of Art. The special person. Art
had never seen her before, and she hadn't said a word as she watched him
carefully fold a bright pink piece of paper into a crane with pointed,
graceful wings.
Art glanced up at her face, and before he knew what he was doing, his hands
were down in the big box that contained the supply of paper cranes. There
it was, the delicate gold-foil bird he'd labored over the night before. He
retrieved it and carefully placed it in the woman's hand.
"I don't know why, but there's a very loud voice inside me telling me I'm
supposed to give you this golden crane. The crane is the ancient symbol of
peace." Art said simply.
The woman didn't say a word as she slowly cupped her small hand around the
fragile bird as if it were alive. When Art looked up at her face, he saw
tears filling her eyes, ready to spill out.
Finally the woman took a deep breath and said, "My husband died three weeks
ago. This is the first time I've been out, today..." She wiped her eyes
with her free hand, still gently cradling the golden crane with the other.
She spoke very quietly, "Today is our golden wedding anniversary." Then
this stranger said in a clear voice. "Thank you for this beautiful gift.
Now I know that my husband is at peace. Don't you see? That voice you
heard. It's the voice of God and this beautiful crane is a gift from Him.
It's the most wonderful 50th wedding anniversary present I could have
received. Thank you for listening to your heart."
Author Unknown
We may not always know why God leads us in certain directions, but we can
rest assured that He has a purpose and plan in mind. I pray that every
believer will be quick to follow and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.
God knows and sees the end result and if only we can see the same thing
through our eyes of faith, we will always be quick and ready to move in
the direction of God's leading.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:17-19 "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a
broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Matthew 10:18-20 Jesus declares "And ye shall be brought before governors
and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But
when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for
it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not
ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Psalm 91:14-16 "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I
deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He
shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and
shew him My salvation."
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: I STAND IN AWE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem61.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony48.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
