Often times we will describe a person that is a victim of a tragedy as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the tragedy at Virginia Tech, the president used that phrase in describing the innocent students that were gunned down by a crazed gunman. When you think about it, that is not a good description. Those kids were exactly where they should have been, in class learning when it was in session. It was the gunman that was in the wrong. Being in the right place and doing the right thing doesn’t always mean good things will happen. The right place might be uncomfortable and tiresome. The right time may bring you ridicule and scorn. The rightness of your action may not be in the results but in action. A knocked door that is slammed in your face, a Bible study offered but not accepted, a lesson prepared but the class sleeps in, are examples of times when we are doing what is right but the results may be less than what we hoped for. That doesn’t mean we should quit doing those things. Wrong actions by another should not make us change our right behavior. As Jesus responded when he was questioned about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, we should also answer, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?''
William Cowper didn’t see any reason to live. He decided that he’d jump off the bridge over the Thames. So, he called a cab to take him there. But that night in 1763, a thick fog enveloped London. It was so thick the cab driver couldn’t find the bridge and couldn’t even find the way to take William home. In frustration, he ordered the driver to stop and get out to get his bearings. He walked up to the nearest house to read the number and it was William's house. Gone now were William’s thoughts of suicide and instead a new idea came into his head. So, he went in and wrote these words: God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. You fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head. I sometimes wish we could see all the ways God watches over us when need it. There are...
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