Call Back

Streams in the Desert December 19, 2012

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook 
    the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.

O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face; 
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim, 
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's 
    sin-darkened sky-
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.

Why, do you ask, did I open today with such a poem? I'll tell you why! As I read this yesterday I recalled many stories of faith that my grandparents, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, and yes, even myself, have told through the years. Telling your story is a way to "call back" to those who are going through the struggles of life. People need to hear how God has brought you out of the storms of life. They need to hear how, when you were walking through darkness, God's light shined brighter to show you the way. They need to hear that as you walked through the desert of a particular season, you found an oasis in Him.

Today I am reminded of the story that my grand daddy Robbins told of being in a fox hole and hearing a voice say "get out of this hole." He asked his buddy Crawford "did you hear something" and Crawford said "you're dreaming, go back to sleep." He covered up with his blanket, settled back down, shut his eyes and again he heard "get out of this hole and get out immediately." He grabbed his stuff and headed out of that hole with Crawford right behind him. As soon as they got out of that fox hole it collapsed! Every single time he told that story, and believe me it was a lot, I got goosebumps. Instead of being buried alive in a foreign country, he came home to preach the gospel. Every single time he told that story he was "calling back" to someone. Encouraging them that the voice of the Lord is real.

My dad is a giver...period. He loves to give! Many years ago he was out and someone bought his meal. I remember him telling us kids that his prayer was that one day he wanted to be at the point that he would be able to do the very same thing. Today he is at that point. He is at that point because he came to understand the value of the tithe and he began to act on it. When he shares this story he is "calling back" to those going through financial struggles that if you'll do what God ask you to do, He will bless you!

I recall the time my mom spent many a night in prayer over her wayward daughter. The times that Brett lay in the floor crying out for God to restore our marriage. Now they can "call back" to those whose daughters, sons, wives, husbands, and children are not living according to the Word of God and say don't give up hope! God answers our cries for the lost!

These are the stories of faith that will carry us into the next journey of our life. We are headed into a world that needs people who are willing to "call back" and tell them that the road they are traveling may be hard but God is traveling with them. There may be times while we are gone that we will need someone to "call back" to us that God is doing a great thing and to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I'm encouraging you today to "call back" to those who are struggling in their lives and let them know your story of triumph. "Call back" as Abraham did to Isaac. As Isaac did to Jacob. "Call back" and tell of the goodness of the Lord! Call Back!!