This Experience Must Come

THIS EXPERIENCE MUST COME

"Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha ... saw him no more." 2 Kings 2:11-12

It has been several weeks now that Pastor Bill went home to be with the Lord. There have been numerous moments where I have found myself saying -- "I am all alone ... what am I going to do about this or that?" For 83 of our 110 year history, Pastor Bill has been at America's KESWICK. That is pretty amazing.

Even though I have been the President and CEO for 12 years, and Pastor Bill was technically "retired," he was still here and very much a part of my life. He was able to give me historical perspective and he helped me stay the course in terms of the mission and vision of America's KESWICK. But he is gone.

I was feeling a wee bit overwhelmed on Sunday. Not at the enormity of my role, but at how much I depended on having Pastor Bill around -- just to be here. When I opened up Oswald Chambers, God spoke to my point of need through his writing in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST ...

"It is not wrong for you to depend on your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, 'I cannot continue without by 'Elijah' (Pastor Bill). Yet God says you must continue.

ALONE AT YOUR JORDAN (2:14) The Jordan river represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill). You have been to the Jordan over and over again with your Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go -- the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your "Jordan" alone.

ALONE AT YOUR JERICHO (2:15) Jericho represents the place where you have seen your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) do great things. Yet when you come to your "Jericho," you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill), you will receive a sign, as Elisha did that God is with YOU.

ALONE AT YOUR BETHEL (2:23) At your "Bethel" you will find yourself at your wit's end but at the beginning of God's wisdom. When you come to your wit's end and feel inclined to panic -- don't! Stand true to God and HE will bring out HIS truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) -- use his mantle and pray (see 2:13-14). Make your determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore."

Wow! I needed that encouragement "for such a time as this." Maybe you did too! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 84-86; Proverbs 12; Romans 12

Great Quote: When we are living in entire dependence on Christ we are strongest when we are weakest, for at our weakest point the strength of Christ has fullest opportunity (2 Cor. 12:9); but when we are living the self-sufficient life we are weakest where we are strongest, for there we are most liable to surprise attack (1 Corinthians 10:12) Christian, mark well this double paradox: in ourselves we are weak even where we are strong; in Christ we are strong even when we are weak. -- J. Sidlow Baxter