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THE TIE THAT BINDS

 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6

    I have had the blessing this week to speak at a revival at First United Methodist Church in Crossville , Alabama .  The drive from where I live to Crossville is about an hour and a half.  It gives me plenty of much needed “thinking” time.  I “think” how amazing the love of God is.  I “think” about the mystery of how you can become so close to a group of people you have only known for four days.  I “think” about the events that have to take place to allow our paths to cross with wonderful people that make life-long impacts on our lives.

    I “think” about how blessed I am, for these encounters have happened in my life many times…in many churches.  It is a blessing I have great difficulty describing.  Sometimes I think it’s the look in their eyes…or maybe the smile on their face.  All I know is one second you meet a stranger and next second you are one with them.  Christ opens the hearts of two believers and before you know it, He has built the bridge only He can build and connected two hearts…forever! 

    I think it is the most powerful confirmation of God I have ever experienced.  To be able to look out and see Christ in so many eyes…sometimes I stop speaking just to look.  I’m sure people wonder “what’s He doing?”  I simply stand there in awe of the love of God and how it transcends time and distance…how it connects.  I am amazed how He brings us together into one body.  And more than ever, I am aware that its not the amount of time we spend together, it’s the quality of that time.  God can built His bridge in a moment and it last forever. 

    After the speaking is over, the “service” is still going strong.  You shake people’s hands and hug their necks…we take a few minutes and share our lives, not strangers anymore…for we are friends.  And in my heart, I tell myself, “you really do love this person.”

    And then I silently ask God, “How do you do that?”

    I remember the song, “Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”  It is the love of Christ in our lives that brings our hearts together as one.  The problems and difficulties of this world cannot separate what God’s love brings together.  A moment of His love will last for all eternity. 

    Right now, I feel completely helpless in my feeble attempt to put into words a blessing that simply cannot be described.  But then again, so many of God’s blessings can’t be put into words.  They are blessing of the heart.  When you look into someone’s eyes and see the love of Christ, you don’t hear it…you FEEL it. 

    There is strength in knowing the tie that truly binds cannot be broken…that it will last forever…that it will be eternal…that we are never alone…and that time and distance cannot separate us from those Christ has brought into our lives.

    Thanks be to God for the bridges He builds…it takes me to the mountaintop…and if I haven’t told you lately.  I love you!

Love in Christ,

Billy

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