The Pilgrimage

This morning as I got up to do a final “run through” of the morning message - which for me means simply going over it in my mind - the Lord touched me in such a tender way I want to share it as a way of bringing glory to him.

For some reason, I had a hard time getting to sleep last night, so I wasn’t my usual super energetic self first thing. But after grinding some fresh beans and opening my Bible and sermon notes, I found myself lost in the sheer JOY of doing what I was born to do.

It caused me to just quietly thank the Lord for calling me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Never do I feel more alive than when I am studying the text and preparing to feed God’s people. It is a labor of pure
love.

Once when the Scottish Olympian Eric Liddell was questioned by a skeptical sister about the spiritual value of running, he said, “When I run I feel his pleasure.” That is precisely how I feel about preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Thurman R. Hayes, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
www.bbcyorktown.org