Dear Friends, Last week I had the honor of sitting with Released Time Regional and Area Coordinators. About midway through our meeting, Gary shared a Spirit-led devotional. It was so valuable, I knew it would benefit the greater RT community. Following is a brief summary:
How Long? By Gary Hornbaker
Ever planned something that took longer to complete than you thought? Ever waited for something that took longer to arrive than you anticipated? Ever traveled somewhere that took longer than it should have or you got lost?
My answer is “YES!” to all these! My question is, “Does it have to be that way?”
I recently read about 12 Israelite leaders, sent by God through Moses, to explore the promised land, Canaan (Numbers 13). Moses told them to return, report what they saw and with fruit from the land.
The land was just as God promised, “…they cut a branch with one cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them.” (vs. 23) That is HUGE fruit!
After 40 days they returned with the fruit and reported the land flowed with milk and honey. Ten leaders agreed …though the land is plentiful, the people are huge. They’ll devour us! Don’t go. Joshua and Caleb said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (vs. 30b)
The Israelites disobeyed God and didn’t enter Canaan. Even though God forgave them, He sent them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. No one over age twenty would survive and enter Canaan.
A journey that should have taken one or two months turned into 40 years. That’s what I call a wrong turn or a plan taking longer than it should!
God is calling us to reach more children through the Released Time Bible Program. He can do this through us in one, two months or … 40 years.
I know what I prefer and believe you feel the same!
I pray we’ll obediently respond to God’s call to reach more children, then have the privilege of bringing the fruit of lives changed to the forefront of our communities, so that He receives the glory! I await your report and to see fruit as you enter the lives of students at your Released Time school!
Thank you for serving! Aaron E. Ziebarth
