A Carrot on a Stick

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd Feb 24 - Filed in Devotional - 2,450 views
  Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. He came up, and told his father and his mother, saying, "I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. Now therefore get her for me as my wife." Then his father and his mother said to him, "Isn't there a woman among your brothers' daughters, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?" Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well." But his father and his mother didn't know that it was of Yahweh; for he sought an occasion against the Philistines. Judges 14:3-4 WEB.
  
  Samson, who was a Hebrew, wanted to marry a Philistine. It upset his parents terribly, for the Philistines were enemies of Israel. "What on earth is wrong with him?" his parents must have thought. Yet, the desire was given to Samson by the Lord. The "She pleases me well" that Samson felt for her came directly from the Lord.
  
  A horse can be led by a carrot on a stick. So was Samson. Samson's destiny was down this path, and he was drawn to it. His parents didn't understand his desire, or his decision, because it wasn't their calling. It was his alone. Though Samson thought he was following his own path and making his own decisions, the Lord was leading him into his destiny.
  
  When I was growing up, I had such a strong desire to work with computers. Though I grew up on a farm, and we didn't own one. They were extremely expensive then. It seemed so impossible that I didn't even pray about it. Also, no one I knew even shared an interest in them.
  
  Yet, that desire never left, and eventually, I began to gather computer parts here and there. Though we lived in the country, these parts found their way to me. I managed to obtain a motherboard, some memory, a floppy drive, and a power supply. I had no case for it, so I assembled my first computer and housed it inside a cardboard box. I cut a slot in the front for floppy disks and drew some outlines on it with a magic marker. At the start, it was only a flashing cursor where you could type commands, but I was so fascinated by it. I spent all my free time trying to upgrade it.
  
  Fast forward twenty years, and I find myself spreading the gospel over the Internet, using computer systems that we built. It was no accident, for I was led here for such a time as this. When I was young, the Lord told me that I would be in ministry one day, but His ways are not our ways. The technology was not even available then, yet He was preparing me the whole time. We are witnessing the beginning of a new era of ministry.
  
  The nagging desire you have that will not go away may very well be from the Lord. One day it may be used for His purpose in a more distinct way. He respects our free will, yet He will often lead us with something we desire, just as He did with Samson. Like us, you may one day look back and find that what you considered a hobby came directly from Him.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for guiding my steps. Please lead me into all that You have for me and help me see past the parts that I don't understand. Fulfill Your will in my life and put me where You want me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
  
  Note: FAAD group members (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) today is"Feel Good Friday!". This event is about lifting up each other up! We all have times when we are weak, but together, we can get through it! We invite you to share anything that may have prompted a good feeling in your heart today. Even if you're having a bad day, perhaps look to encouraging scriptures, prayers or thoughts, and testimonies of God's work. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to help, all are welcome to join!: FAAD Group:
  
  
  

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