Work the plan

I have been asked to be the keynote speaker for an awards ceremony for a prestigious worldwide charitable organization that caters to street kids who are either at risk or already heading down a path of serious trouble. Yesterday I was discussing my speech with the executive director and she was giving me some guidelines. Many of the kids are homeless and since I was homeless when I came to Atlanta nearly forty years ago with many of the same problems that they face, she thought I was a match made in heaven to speak to them to offer them hope. This organization does not proselytize to the kids and she wanted to make that clear to me.

Whoa! I cannot explain my miraculous turnaround unless I tell them that it was the act of accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior that was the primary reason for my life change. I’m not giving a secular speech to these kids and that is that. I think that we ended up agreeing that my speech would include my conversion and I am going to re-confirm it today; otherwise I will have to respectfully bow out.

Daily I get letters asking me how to succeed. I always tell them that the foundation must be Jesus, (not Allah, Buddha, or some nature spirit in the sky), and then I go on to provide specific suggestions of what they must do in a human sense such as approach work cheerfully and maintain a strong work ethic; they must work towards avoiding getting discouraged and quitting, rather they must persevere and when the going gets tough, get tough themselves; maintain a positive cheerful attitude; serve others and treat them the way they would like to be treated; etc. In other words God will provide opportunities, but we must do our parts too. When you become a Christian do not expect a million dollars to be sitting under the Christmas tree the next morning. Do expect all kinds of “opportunities” to enjoy life obtain peace and joy and then take advantage of them.

I truly believe that God designed us to work. If in doubt, read Proverbs and you will be convinced. Read Genesis and see how God labored six days and rested on the seventh. (When is the last time you worked on a Saturday?) I’m positive that it was a labor of love and was indeed great fun for God to perform this work and accomplish all that He accomplished and continues to accomplish. I try to emulate Him in that vein and that is my approach to work and thus I have a strong work ethic.

Satan attempts to discourage me probably even more than the average person because I actively combat him, and I consider him to be my enemy. I realize that he is very powerful and that, in the flesh, I am simply no match for him; therefore I call upon the strength of the Lord to assist me in not getting discouraged when he is attacking me and to give me the strength to persevere through the tough times that will surely visit us all. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, is a verse I recite often.

I suppose the thing I will try to get across to the kids more than any other point is that even though they might think their situation is hopeless and that no one cares about them, that there is hope. God can fix anything that is broken. And someone, (God), does indeed care deeply for us. God knows each of us individually and loves us more that we can understand.

When I hitch hiked into Atlanta I was completely alone and despondent to the point of being suicidal. Since becoming a Christian I realize that I am never alone, nor am I unloved, and I am not like an old shoe that someone wants to throw out with the trash. God created me to fulfill a special purpose for His kingdom, and He has prepared a place for me to reside for eternity. You and I were bought at a great price in the blood of Jesus Christ and we are very special to God, and I am appreciative and He is special to me and hopefully to you.

It is much easier to serve God when we think of it in this manner. Know that you came into existence to fulfill God’s purpose. He has a plan and you are part of that plan. Find and understand your purpose through prayer, Bible study, and meditation and then do your part and fulfill it to the best of your abilities. You cannot fail if you do so. Guaranteed!


Psalm 33:14
He looks on all of the inhabitants of the
earth;
He fashions their hearts
individually;
He considers all their works.