Saying Goodbye…

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls….” – Jeremiah 6:1620160228_154502~2

If you haven’t heard by now, I was released from the Trail of Faith this past week. They said that the board had decided to take a different direction for the Trail and as a result, eliminated the Director position

My heart sank.

Selling the farm, the animals, the constant moving for the past year, first from the farm to Valdese and then from the storage to the temporary house, then from the temporary house into the new house; a year of moving that has yet to be completed.

We had yet to settle down when the news came.

Standing at another crossroads in my life, I can choose to look back, or I can choose to look forward, the choice is mine. I can turn to my left or right, but in whatever decision I make, there is one thing that must remain constant, one thing that I must not forget; the very reason for where I am at today; my faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Had we known then what we know now would have made the same choice to take that leap of faith? Would we have sold everything to follow the calling? Should we have asked those who had dealt with the Trail what their track record was for turnover? We can look back and ask those questions which seem obvious in answer, but the truth is, when we are compelled to answer the call, it matters little what the outcome of our journey becomes. More importantly, our eyes should be fixed on the ultimate goal, the heavenly victory.

Does it hurt?

Of course, it does; yet if we think of it as a stepping stone; just another piece of the puzzle in God’s big plan, then the reward that awaits behind the door that has yet to be revealed will be far greater than the one that just closed. Our most significant triumphs have yet to be revealed as we continue to follow the path He has chosen for us.

Yet the pain continues. What bothers me most is not the hurt inside, but rather, the pain is for all those that I had shared my testimony with; those that I had truly divulged my heart and soul, assuring them that when they visited the Trail, they would indeed be blessed as we would share the Word of God with them through the story of the people of the valleys. Now, in the midst of this painful loss, I will not be able to guarantee their receiving what I had so fervently promised. Many will only receive the same old history lesson as before, while a few might get lucky and get one of our more passionate guides, like brother Barry. Yet, I know in his mind he might be missing me as much as I will be missing him in my absence. We had become brothers in arms, so to speak. Barry and many more have been hurt by the decision, but like true Christian soldiers, we all will carry on one way or another.

What I will miss most is hard to say.

There were countless moments of the Holy Spirit coming down upon us at any point in a tour. There were the prayers over those in need, those hurting and wanting healing, and many other inspirational stories that continued flowing like a beautiful, sweet river of love from our Heavenly Father. Gone will be those moments when you saw the look in the eyes of your guest as they understood the sacrifices of those gone before and how God had sent them to hear the story for the first time. Many would go away with a greater appreciation for the Word, and that was my greatest wish of all; that each person regardless of denomination, background or heritage, would leave the Trail knowing that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…”

As much as I wanted to call it my mission, God obviously has other ideas. To Him, this was just part of the plan for which I was called.

My journey has just begun.

Once more I find myself on my knees praying for peace, wisdom, guidance and strength.

Where will I be in a month from now; Heavenly only knows?

As the Bible tells us, when God closes a door, He has another one opened and waiting for us. Our job is to find that door and walk through it. I’ve been given one month’s severance pay; hopefully, time enough to figure where that other door awaits.

As brother Patrick told me this week with regard to the next door, “The greatest triumph is yet to come.”

Yes, the future is uncertain in human terms, but in Godly perspective, the best is yet to come.

In all I do, I will always continue to say, “Thanks be to God.”

For if it is God’s will, then it shall be done, and so here is a link to my resume in case you know of someone hiring….link to resume

10 Comments

Filed under Inspirational

10 Responses to Saying Goodbye…

  1. rcbrauer2014

    Wow! What a change. God must have some big plans for you. I am saddened for all those who will be missing the blessing I received during our tour.

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  2. Lisa Stephens

    Tim, what a gift you have. Such Faith to take giant leaps with all that goes along with being a husband, a father, a change maker and most of all a God fearing man. Everywhere we go, every person we meet, every door closed is the opportunity for God’s light to shine through us brighter and brighter. Father God allows these things to keep us totally dependant on Him.
    I pray your joy is so full that you are contagious to all your family and friends.
    May when they see you and how close this season brought you to Father God they will surely say, Tim is in love with Jesus, it shines on his face.
    God bless you and your family.

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  3. Micaela L.

    You will be in my prayers.

    “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41:13)

    “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy . . .being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-4, 6)

    God bless you.

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  4. Tim cunnup

    Tim ,you a are true disciple of Christ. A warrior for the word. You have been on my mind a lot this past week. I pray that door to open widely and present a wonderful new opportunity for you. I know it will. God has great plans for you . I admire your passion for spreading the word. God Bless .

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  5. David King

    Dear Tim,

    I went running on the American Tobacco Trail this morning, and I remembered running with you on that very trail two years ago when you first told me about your sense of calling to the Trail of Faith. I know of many, but surely not all of the sacrifices you and your family have had to make in order to respond to that calling, and my heart is heavy to know that your time there has ended so soon. Yet I know that the sacrifices you made were not in vain, and that the Lord still has plans for you, “plans to take care of you and not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11; The Message). You have surely furthered God’s kingdom in your time there at the Trail, and I look forward to learning what the Lord has prepared for you to do next. I am comforted to know that you are a man of great faith, and I join you in praying for the Lord to give you peace, wisdom, guidance and strength. I know the Lord will fulfill his purpose for your life (Ps. 138:8). May God richly bless you and your family.

    Yours in Christ,

    David

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    • David, you are often on my mind now as I run the new trails here in the mountains and how we shared our devotional spirit together. Someday we’ll have to travel a path together and someday, we’ll all join in when we cross that great river. Thank you for the prayer, inspirational words, and brotherly love you have given and continue to provide. Blessings in Christ, -Tim

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