All
He Wanted Was Peace
…and you will
be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
At age twenty-four, Dwight set out to
“See the world with Christ”. His lifestyle of hitchhiking from
town to town in search of that day’s destination had shown him more
of the United States than most. Now, at fifty-one, Dwight related
parts of his journey, and some of the challenges he’d experienced.
“I’ve traveled through more than
forty states and seen a lot of things over the years. I have met some
interesting people. Many good people, some of which God has used to
provide for my needs.”
“I imagine you’ve known hunger,
cold, heat…just about every extreme a man would expect to
encounter?” I questioned.
He smiled. “Yes, I’ve been hungry
on many occasions; cold, hot, tired, and weak too. I’ve spent two
decades praying, asking God to guide me to my next destination,
somewhere I would find food and shelter.”
“Didn’t you ever want more?” I
asked. “Like a home or long-term relationships?”
“No. I have always felt that God
wanted me to travel, taking advantage of each opportunity He gives me
to speak about His love. No…I can honestly say I’ve never missed
those things. I enjoy this life, and want nothing more than to
crisscross the country for Jesus, seeing where He’ll lead me next.
Truth is…all I ever wanted was His peace, and He gives it to me
daily.”
†
Today’s text says that we who know
Jesus as Lord and Savior will tell others about Him. That is exactly
what Dwight does, asking only for God’s peace to sustain him as he
travels a sometimes difficult and desolate route.
I cannot imagine there are many who
would leave family, home, and comfort, in exchange for the struggles
Dwight meets on a daily basis in an effort to witness God’s peace
to others. It is a challenging mission.
And lest we judge, remember, the
Disciples were all men who left steady employment, family, and
comfort to travel as God’s vagabonds, speaking of His glorious
riches, receiving only God’s peace in return.
It is enough for Dwight. Would it be
enough for us?
Prayer
“Father, keep Dwight
safe today. Use him to expand the knowledge of Who You are to those
he meets. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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