My Father's Business

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Children have returned to school.  The calendar is racing toward Labor Day. Summer is rapidly coming to an end.  It is so easy to get caught up in the trappings the world has to offer.  It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily activities.


Earlier this week, I took the opportunity to attend Revival Services at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill.  My dear friend, Ron Coleman, was the guest preacher for these three special services. During the first of the three services, Ron referenced scripture from Luke 2.  Ron wanted to remind us of the earliest words attributed to Jesus Christ.  Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of Jesus, had been looking for their son.  They were trying to return to their home.  When they located their son they informed him that they had been looking for him.  In Luke 2:49 (NKJV), Jesus replied to his parents, “…Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”


As I sat and listened to Ron preach, I reflected, “Have I been about My Father’s business?  In the activity of everyday circumstances, am I seizing opportunities to do what I am called to do through my faith walk.  I challenged myself, am I just going through the motions or do I have a genuine desire to be evidence of the love of my Lord and Savior?  Am I denying my self-interests in following as a disciple of Jesus Christ?


On Monday, I had an opportunity to apply one of the points made in Ron’s sermon.  As I ministered to a small group of men at the Franklin County Jail, I learned of a situation.  A young woman was hospitalized in Lynchburg.  It was laid upon my spirit to visit this woman; to intercede on behalf of her loved one.  My plan earlier in the day had been to attend the second night of revival service. That’s where I wanted to be.  If I made the trip to Lynchburg, I would miss the evening’s service.


What would I choose?  Deny myself and travel to Lynchburg or go hear God’s Word preached?


I left Rocky Mount and headed out Rt. 122.  As I crossed into Bedford County, traffic came to a standstill.  Road construction was ongoing that had the road shut down to a single lane.  Additionally, there had been an issue with a school bus that had stopped travel in the one lane that had been opened.  I estimated that I sat in my vehicle without moving for nearly 45 minutes.


Normally such a situation would have worn on my patience.  But as I sat there, listening to worship music on the radio, praying to my Father, I had a sense of peace and calm about me.  I was convicted in my spirit that I was absolutely going in the right direction and doing exactly what I needed to be doing that evening.


When I arrived at the hospital, I located the woman’s room and discovered that she was sleeping.  I waited in the corridor anticipating that it would just be a matter of time before a caregiver would need to interrupt her sleep.  I read over passages in the bible while I waited.  As the clinician exited the room I asked her if I could visit with her.  I introduced myself. She remembered me from a recent church visit.


Our visit didn’t last much more than ten minutes and ended when she accepted my invitation to pray for her.


On Tuesday, I had an opportunity to speak with the loved one who had expressed concern for this woman.  When I explained that I had made the trip that he could not make, his face showed such love and appreciation.  Interceding on his behalf brought him a measure of peace.


When we walk out our faith journey with purpose; when we move through our day being about our Father’s business, lives are touched, people are impacted, peace is ministered, and hope is given.


Jesus reminds us in Luke 9:23 (NKJV), “…If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily. And follow Me.”