Defining Moments

It’s been nearly 15 years since I raised my hands in surrender to the Lord and His will for my life. It all started when the vice president of a racing association suggestion I become their new chaplain. Within a few days of that question being asked, I would accept the position and my life would be forever changed.

Since the 3rd of March 2001, my wife and I have been on a journey that has changed both of our lives significantly and touched numerous lives around us. We went from living for ourselves or our children, to living a life that makes a difference beyond our immediate family and friends.

At times, the Lord has allowed us to see the impact of the life He chose for us through those around us. At other times we have no idea who we’ve touched by our actions. I believe the Lord does this so we don’t become boastful or prideful. Yes, it’s OK to be pleased with the things He allows us to do and the lives we get to touch because it’s important, at some level, that our actions have meaning. However, it’s more important we reflect the Christ in us than the world around us.

I imagine that none of the people of significance in the bible had any idea what it would be like to live in the 21st century let alone understand the impact they would have on a person like myself. Most simply chose to say yes when they had their defining moment and do as the Lord asked. That is what we have chosen to do as well. After all, all the Lord wants is a willing heart. He uses the ordinary to perform the extraordinary.

Blessings

Defining Moments
by Os Hillman

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”Acts 9:3

For Moses, it was the burning bush.

For Peter, it was walking on water.

For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched.

For Paul, it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road. For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions’ den.

For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.

There have been many defining moments in the lives of human beings that changed their lives forever. These defining moments often set the course for the balance of their lives.

We could go on and on. Each of these servants had years of preparation leading up to their defining moment. These moments forced the servants to be involved in something beyond their human experiences. It took them outside their own paradigms of life. God had to move them outside their own boxes. And when He did, their lives were never the same.

You may be in one of three stages of life: You may not have had your “defining moment” yet – God may be preparing you with many important life experiences. You may have had your defining moment and you are living out your call. Or, you may be toward the end of your journey and you have already experienced what I speak of. We are all called to a relationship with God; and we are all called vocationally, which is often ushered in by a defining moment. And there can be more than one defining moment, each pointing you down a path that God foreordained from the foundation of the world. The secret of a great life is often a man’s ability to discern the defining moments given to him, understanding them, and learning to walk in the path that leads him to his ultimate destination.

Once you have had a defining moment, you are never the same. Pray that you have eyes to see and ears to hear when your Master brings a defining moment into your life.