By Tim Farmer
“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” Zechariah 2:13
March 4th? March 4th!! March Forth???
I sat down in my usual spot on the sofa in the light of the morning sunrise thanking God for another glorious day. I was sitting still, pausing to let the sunlight warm my face before opening my daily devotional. I remembered that Mario Murillo sent out an online invitation to the pastors of California to attend a lunch he was hosting in Manteca, California on March 4th. Today. The event was to pray, heal and encourage the pastors to reopen all of the churches in the state. The response to his invitation was amazing. Instead of a hundred or so, as Mario had anticipated, over a thousand pastors had responded. I prayed that God would provide all that they would need to make the lunch a success. I thought about how interesting it was that the event was happening on March 4th. Was that intentional? There are no accidents.
Many of us have been praying, in hopeful expectation, that today would be a day of a great event in Washington, DC involving our Presidential leaders. We shall see. I finished my prayer for the pastors lunch and sat in silence again in the bright sunlight. This is my daily quiet time with God. Silence. Today’s date was repeated in my mind. Once. “March 4th.” Silence. I waited. I am learning patience. Then the thought struck me, it wasn’t the date I was hearing, that still small voice was saying “March forth.”
Recently I have been wrestling with my being a disciple. How could I best share my faith and help others to know Jesus? It was easier 30 years ago when Janet and I were newlyweds and active members of the local Presbyterian Church. Still energetic in our early 40’s we were involved with several popular ministries at the church. Janet’s servant heart and smile could light up a room. She was my great encourager, advocate and nudger. She quickly taught me to be courageous with my faith.
Janet was fearless. Everyone loved her. Sadly, Janet went home to be with Jesus early in 2018. The last few years of Janet’s life were very difficult. Chronic pain in many areas of her body made it difficult to sit in church. She stopped attending. After a while I attended less as her condition became worse, then I became a “sometimer.” To say I miss her is an understatement. Now, I believe she shines brighter in Heaven than she did on earth.
While making plans for her memorial with our senior pastor, I made a promise to return to Sunday worship. Even though I aimed the promise at my pastor, it was really to my Lord and Savior.
Fast forward to 2020 and Covid-19. Just before the quarantine began, I had started weekly sessions with a Christian counselor in Pasadena to help me in coping with depression and Janet’s passing. Before the second session the quarantine went into effect, so our sessions were on Zoom. Attending church and bible study were also conducted on Zoom. Better than nothing, however the fellowship is not the same.
The tender greetings and the hugs of encouragement were gone. But God found a way. Not being able to go to work actually became a blessing. A huge blessing. This alone time gave me the desire to be in the Word, study the Bible, connect with old friends on social media, and fellowship with Believers.
My mid-week Bible study was helping boost my confidence, as was my alone time with the Lord in the mornings. During the days I couldn’t get motivated. Tired and frustrated with myself I became lazy and watched too much TV.
November of last year I turned 70. I have had a very active lifestyle during my adult years but being static during the lockdown has added to new physical issues. My motor skills were declining. What had been easy was now difficult. Alone, without Janet, I have become less confident in my actions. I am too worried about making mistakes. I feel ill equipped for the many tasks that used to be second nature to me. The idea and responsibility of discipleship seems daunting, overwhelming, and unreachable. It has been hard enough trying to get through each day. I needed motivation, accountability, a task, a project to build, something! Then a friend called. She needed a special box built, something small that could hold a Laptop, and a way for it to adjust to different heights.
After the call ended I thought it would be a fun little project. I knew the materials I needed were at work. All I had to do was start; and I did. Less than a week went by, still incomplete but usable. I took it to my friend’s apartment, so that she could try it out and see if there were any improvements that I might need to add. She ended up keeping the box for two weeks, it was working great! I went over to pick it up and brought it back to the shop. All I had to do was add some handles and put a clear finish on it, then return it. She was very happy. So was I.
Those few hours working on that little box gave me a purpose. I prayed about that purpose for days. Several other projects popped up that I was able to complete. The old juices were flowing. My friend Ken would say, “Tim, you’re in the flow.” But I recognized something different about this; Jesus was in it. He was always there but my eyes were now open to see it. And, this morning my ears had opened to hear Him again -“March forth.”
My devotional book belonged to Janet. I use it every morning and treasure the little notes that she had written along the edges of the pages. Today’s devotion had two scripture references, the first was Luke 12:25-26. In my rush to get to the passage in my bible I started reading at Luke 11:5, then realizing my mistake I decided to read both chapters in sequence. The teaching of Jesus in these chapters had greater significance for me than ever before. After reading it again I believe that “March forth” was my special encouragement from God. It was for me to step out in faith; to stop being fearful of making a mistake or looking the fool. It might even be a trumpet call to the masses. I don’t know for sure, but I am certain it is mine.
Perhaps I am to join with those better equipped than I as they “March forth.” There may never be a more important time in history to do exactly that. It is time for me to step up, join the battle line and become a soldier for Christ.
I treasure the time Janet and I spent together. Our meeting was a miracle unto itself, but that is another story. I know we will be together again. Love lasts forever. Today I will March Forth for both of us.
MARCH FORTH and ALL GLORY BE TO GOD.
March Forth! How Great Thou Art Lord!
Linda J. Humes 