The Pilgrimage

This morning our faith family concluded our Sunday morning study on Paul’s
letter to the Ephesians. I have come to associate each sermon series with
different events in church life and my own life. When we look back on our
time in Ephesians years from now, what will stand out to us?

We can remember that it was during this time that God brought Phil Gifford
to serve with us. It is impossible to overstate what Phil means to our
staff. His tireless work, great attitude, and servant’s heart are evidence
of God’s smile on our congregation.

I will personally look back on these months as a time of great growth in my
walk with the Lord - perhaps the greatest since I became a Christian. It
was painful at times. It always is when God breaks you and refines you.
But he breaks us to heal us. He refines us to produce pure gold. As the
Puritan prayer, “The Valley of Vision” expresses it:

Let me learn by paradox
That the way down is the way up,
That to be low is to be high,
That the broken heart is the healed heart,
That the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
That the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
That to have nothing is to possess all,
That to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
That to give is to receive,
That the valley is the place of vision.

Dr. Thurman R. Hayes, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
1004 Yorktown Road
Yorktown, VA 23693
(757) 867-8082
www.bbcyorktown.org