By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director
Just one month ago I left for an annual backpacking trip that I take with several other guys on the Appalachian Trail. This year we planned to backpack a section of North Carolina and Tennessee. And, let me say, Roan Mountain was beautiful in the snow.
For a good portion of our trip, we usually do not have cell phone service. It’s one of the benefits of our time away. God speaks a lot louder in His creation. And while He was speaking, over and over, Proverbs 3:5-6 kept coming to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” It seemed too “simple” of a truth. Usually God gives me deeper insights while backpacking.
Little did I know all that was happening in the world. But we started receiving reports of toilet paper and hand sanitizer shortages. It really got our attention when we heard SPAM was in shortage. It is our favorite trail meat!
Humor aside, in the peace of the mountains I believed the Lord had a message for us in this crisis. I began praying that He would open my heart to everything He wants me to learn during this time. I prayed that my family and loved ones, fellow servants and our world will hear the message that the Lord has for us. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b).
On our drive home we were barraged with story upon story of crisis and chaos as we returned into the quickly changing world.
Now, one month later, I have found these verses to be significant as I trust in the Lord, lead my family and lead Joy El.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Psalm 46:1-3: For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14: When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 5:7: We live by faith, not by sight. As uncertain as this time is, we have always walked by faith. Today there is no illusion that we are walking by faith.
I am interested in learning what scripture has been significant to you. How has the Lord been teaching you?
Upcoming Joy El Events
