Pastor Jim Jackson, Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church.

This is my first time sharing an article with you.

For this opportunity, I give thanks to Bryan County News.

Wow, such a beautiful and interesting place is Richmond Hill. What a privilege it is mine to be laboring in this community.

I must confess that often when I begin to write, I really don’t know where I’m going with it. It reminds me of what one New Testament writer said about Abraham: “He followed God into a land he didn’t know.” But, really, isn’t that how it is with our lives? Each day we “plow” in new ground, not knowing just what will become of it.

So what is my point? I do have one. It is that oftentimes when we are uncertain about what to do, it may be a good idea to start doing something.

We may whine, protesting: 

I don’t know what to do,” or we may make tentative steps, trusting God to lead.

On one occasion when Moses and his people were facing a watery impasse, God instructed him to stop talking and get moving. I once had a parent complained about his son: “He’s running everywhere, getting in trouble.” My response was that he should be thankful the young man was moving.

Otherwise, that father would have two problems—getting his son moving, then providing guidance. I’m reminded that when Jesus called his disciples, each was busy doing something—fishing, even collecting taxes.

As you know, they became fishers of men.

You might protest, “But I don’t feel like it.” May I suggest what someone told me: “It’s easier to act yourself into a new way of feeling than to feel yourself into a new way of acting.”

See, I told ya. I began this with hardly any idea of what I would write, but now it’s done.

Thanks for the chance to begin.