If You Search With All Your Heart And Soul, You Will Find God

The second day that Brian, his mother, his father, and I were in Alaska this last September was a Sunday, and so the four of us went to church. It was a small church that God led us to, and although we were unaware of it in advance, God had orchestrated something very special for all of us.

At the time we were visiting in Alaska, Ronny Hinson, the writer of the beloved gospel song "The Lighthouse," which won the 1972 Dove and Fan Award, was also in Alaska, visiting friends. He had graciously agreed to sing and give his testimony that evening at this little church on the outskirts of the city. Of course we went! It was free! Can you imagine that?!

Even though Ronny Hinson is famous — he was the first person to bring Gospel music to a sold-out crowd in Carnegie Hall in New York, and he has even sung before President Reagan — the only pride this man had was in Jesus Christ, his personal His Lord and Saviour. When Ronny Hinson came to this small, out-of-the-way church and saw that there were only twelve people in the audience — that's including the four of us — he still gave us his very best. The pastor of the church was embarrassed at the size of the audience, but Ronny wasn't. He told the pastor and all of us that he sings and preaches for God only, and that the number of people or who he sings in front of does not matter to him in the least.

Because of Ronny's humility and love for God alone, God's presence was felt very strongly. We all left touched by the heart of God and blessed by His glory through the cultivated Holy Spirit's presence in this man. That special night was a precious gift from God, one that will never be forgotten by any of us, and it saddens me to think of how many people missed out. So many people want the fanfare, the band, the lights, the large church setting, and the modern sound equipment that they forget about just wanting God.

God made Himself known that night in an out-of-date church on the wayside, but only a handful of people were there to experience it. If we search for God with all our hearts and souls, we will find Him, but it will probably be in places where and times when we least expect it.

"But from there you will search again

for the Lord your God.

And if you search for Him

with all your heart and soul,

you will find Him."

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)

After the Sunday night service, I bought this CD for my mom as a Christmas gift for her.