Message  In  a  Bottle

One morning, after struggling for some time with business, personal and private matters, I decided to take an early morning “walk with God” as taught by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King’s Bible study Experiencing God. Years of frustration and unanswered questions came to a head and I needed answers. As I was walking down to the creek on a dewy spring morning I decided to level with God. I needed answers and I needed them in black and white and I needed them now!

For about a half of a mile or so I unleashed all my fears, questions and concerns in a rather bold, in-your-face manner. As I approached the creek I headed upstream along a mowed pathway I prepared a few days earlier. In the middle of my ranting I felt an urging telling me to go downstream. Of course that had high wet grass and I was in no mood to take that direction. After a second urging I reluctantly stomped off through the high grass. What did I care, it was yet another kick in the pants of poor ol’ me.

Several days before we had a rather unusual storm in our area, the heavens opened up and poured five and one half inches of rain in twenty five minutes, something I have never experienced before. Anyhow, I’m stomping downstream looking at the debris washed down by the storm. Just ahead of me nestled in the heap of twigs and leaves I noticed a plastic bottle. My first reaction was “Oh how cute God, a message in a bottle, isn’t that original!” I did notice that the wrapper was off the outside and something was inside…I just figured someone took the label off and stuck it on the inside. I decided to play along and look inside. After taking out the paper and unwinding it I saw, IN BLACK AND WHITE, a passage “God so loved the world he gave His son (John 3:16)”. My reaction…. “So what I’ve known that since I was a kid”. Then I noticed a second passage in BLACK AND WHITE that said “Go and tell others about Jesus” (Mark 16:15) At that point I realized I had my message from God. I laughed, I cried, I asked forgiveness for being a little brat and I thanked Him for knowing me and taking time to lovingly shut me up in a very simple yet powerful way.

That “Little Miracle” answered and healed years of questions, doubts, and fears and at the same time let me know that my Father cares enough about me to take time to send me a message in a bottle.

Since then I have seen God work in different areas of my life and others as well. I always knew God was there and He cared for people I just didn’t know He cared enough about me to make it real and personal to me in a way that I could understand and respond.

I would like to encourage those who are struggling today to let God know how you feel, He cares and He will meet you where you are if you let Him. God bless, Michael R. Stoner

Jul.23,07 15:13