Stop and Look
by Gordon Walker
Stop and look.
You really should.
Don’t let it be a distraction but stop and look. Look around the room.
I did so during a Sunday service a couple of weeks ago.
Over the years, I believe the Spirit has prompted me to do so. He did so again earlier this month. All I did was stop and look and see all that He has done around all of us, through the wonderful people He has placed in our fellowship.
In the Council Road Worship Center, here is just a portion of what I saw:
A friend I have called (or he has called me) at least a half a dozen times over the past 30 years to share a burden and share a moment of sincere prayer. What a comfort!
A young couple (now with a cheerful, strapping new son) who used to be at the entry door early every Sunday for a season, warmly greeting those who came their way. What an encouragement they are to those around them.
A friend from high school who was faithful to Christ then and has remained steadfast to this day. The consistency in her walk is a needed challenge to my own. There’s nothing quite like a true woman of God.
Two miracle men, who survived massive heart attacks within a year of one another, sitting side by side with their forever grateful wives. Our Lord is all-powerful and our Great Physician.
A single dad, who valiantly raised his now-young adult daughter, and has won the admiration of our entire Connection group. There’s nothing quite like a true man of God.
A faithful peer who is joined week after week for years by his sons and occasionally others, to put up chairs and tables after Connection hour at the Cube. He still serves other people’s sons, years after his own sons have graduated from the student ministry. Thank you, Father, for so many—yet not enough—selfless servants like this guy.
An amazing young couple, who made the challenging and yet rewarding journey to Thailand earlier this year, who met and married in their 30s and have been blessed with a son on the way. Their love for the Lord and for one another, like many of their peers, is inspiring to older folks like us. A great reminder that it is always profitable to wait on the Lord, who always has good things in store for his children. There is nothing quite like a young couple true to their God.
Another young “Made in Thailand” friend, a devoted music educator and equally devoted to serving the Lord and our church in his own quiet and humble fashion. (We have these young Thailand cohorts “thank you, Father” moments every week, with most of them on the stage regularly helping lead worship.)
Two peer couples, seated on the ends of two rows in front of me, who have wholeheartedly supported an adult child (and their grandkids) to answer the call to overseas missions. Lord, fill the cups of both of these dear families (all three generations) in this year ahead. May their labor bring great honor to your name and fruitful increase to your kingdom.
A couple who has long and richly poured into my generation, and now with an amazing second gear to do so into the next two generations after mine. They represent so many brilliant models of “hands and feet” service to the body of Christ. Father, help me and my generation to grow in this manner.
A friend from our class who buried her husband one day, and the very next Sunday was sitting in the row behind us next to two other loving ladies from our group, worshipfully singing the “Hymn of Heaven.” I can’t sing that song (or even type these words) without triumphant tears and will always hear her sweet voice as I do. O dear Savior, thank you for our hope of Heaven and the “Hymn of Heaven.”
Next Sunday, when you are in the Worship Center, stop and look.
Evidence of the Lord’s faithfulness is all around. I barely scratched the surface with my reflections here, leaving out scores of equally obvious Christ-honoring sisters and brothers.
Yes, look around.
It will prime your heart for worship of our magnificent Creator.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it”
(1 Corinthians 12:27).
Author Bio
Gordon Walker and his wife, Beverly, serve as directors of the TBD Connection Class. They have been members at Council Road since 2008. During the week, they operate NightOWL Publications. They have three children: Brooks, (and wife, Dru), Memphis, Tenn.; Annie, Yukon; and Clay, (1991-1997), Heaven.