A Pastor's Ponderings: Heaven-Sent Emerald Coast Transfer
This region has long been rightfully considered a premier military assignment—well-known for its pristine beaches, top-tier schools and friendly communities. Military families transfer in and out, but I want to tell you about a transfer authority far superior to Uncle Sam. Here is the story of our heaven-sent transfer to the Emerald Coast.
I was stationed at the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing headquarters
from 1977 to 1981, first living on Eglin AFB before moving to Okaloosa Island and
eventually settling in Niceville. This last move helped turn my life around 180
degrees. After work, I even began attending Okaloosa Walton Junior College (before
it became Northwest Florida State College). After my separation from the Air
Force, I transferred to Penn State University, never realizing how my return
here might miraculously occur.
In January 2019, while starting the first leg of a six-month
30,000-mile trek, I told my wife that God was tugging at my heart concerning going
full-time in the pastorate again. I dropped this bombshell on her as we were
leaving a prayer breakfast in Atlanta on our way to Fort Lauderdale and then Naples,
Orlando and in late February, Tallahassee with a dozen other Florida cities in
between.
For the first time in almost 40 years, I would cross the
Panhandle passing through Niceville on our way to Milton. I contacted the
church instrumental in changing my life to see if they had an overnight hookup
for my motorhome. They did, so we stopped! Come to find out, they had just gone
through a very tumultuous year depleting their numbers, causing the small remnant
to be looking for a new pastor. Guess what happened! Once we completed our travel
commitments, we relocated to Niceville in June 2019. This Bible verse expressed
the supernatural intervention that had taken place: “…it is not in man that
walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23b).
Judy and I sometimes pinch ourselves in disbelief that we have
now settled where we, Lord willing, will finish our life’s journey in our new
home across from the church. In today’s ever-increasingly cynical world, many
people struggle to believe that a God exists who cares and offers us direction.
Yet, many people like me have a different vantage point. We call it a biblical
worldview, and here are two of its essential precepts.
1. God offers heaven-sent direction to those who
trust in Him and acknowledge His intervention.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
2.
God provides the right desires to those who
focus on finding life’s pleasures by serving and worshiping Him.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4).
This story is another segment of our ongoing saga that has provided
memories beyond our wildest dreams. I know many of you, too, have untold
stories that could fill volumes. For this reason, I never tire of meeting new people,
and the saying applies to me: I have never met a stranger: just people I do not
yet know. So, with that, I say, “Hello, neighbor and God bless.”
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