According to the Upper Room
Magazine website, since 1935, the publication has “sparked a global ministry that now
reaches millions around the world in 100 countries in 35 languages.”
One September evening while in my
mid-twenties, I had reached the end of my wandering in a far country. My rebellion
against God centered around the idea that I didn’t want God to take away my
happiness. But I had come to the realization that I didn’t have any happiness
for God to take away. In fact, I was beyond miserable.
"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets . . . " (Habakkuk 2:2).
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I have a personal story about its effect.
C.S. Lewis, whose writing would
be foundational for me, says, “God stoops to conquer.”
He certainly did that evening for
me.
I bowed my head and surrendered
the broken pieces of my life to God. I had so little understanding of God’s
ways, I didn’t even know if He could or would forgive me, but I asked and
declared if there was anything left of my life He could use, it was His.
The next morning, I happened to
find an Upper Room Magazine in my apartment, and I began to read it. It seemed
God spoke directly into my situation.
That was more than thirty-five
years ago. Today I am a pastor’s wife, a writer, a speaker, and all of this is
because that September night, God did forgive me, and gave me a ministry beyond
anything I might have imagined. The Upper Room Magazine has continued to be a
daily component of my time with God.
I have written for other
publications, and have books in print, but nothing I write means more to me
than the devotions I have written for the Upper Room Magazine because of its significance
to me. I love that around the world God can perhaps use the words I have
surrendered to him in the same way He used the magazine in my life.
Once more this month, I have a devotion
in the periodical. It will appear on December 12 (You might try a sneek peek here). I’ll also be writing for
their blog that day and I understand I have pictures appearing in their
ezine, as well. I’ll post the links here as they become available.
I don’t believe finding the
magazine in my apartment all those years ago was an accident. God saw my future,
and knew He’d bring me full circle.
For that, I am so grateful.
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