The Last Word

I take pen in hand (well, open the keyboard) to write my last Reflections article as president of Ladies Ministries. To be honest, this is a busy and emotional time as I close this season of my life. I am working to put all the pieces in place for a smooth transition to the new administration. And for our beloved magazine, the only Apostolic women’s magazine in the world that I know of, I want to leave one final word from my heart.

We are living in a world gone crazy. Evil has been unleashed in our society. The Lord warned us that in the end times, good would be called evil and evil would be called good. And now, we see it happening before our eyes. I am appalled as I watch evil being promoted, defended, supported, even honored—while good is mocked, trampled, lied about, and suppressed. How quickly a force of evil has swept across our world, trying to stamp out everything godly, profitable, and healthy.

This can trouble our spirits—disturbing, frightening, stealing our peace. Amid these difficult times, I awoke one night with a Scripture burning in my spirit: “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). Another verse in the same chapter echoes it: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27). There in the quiet darkness, just me and God, I felt “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). He spoke peace to my spirit. I was reminded of the comfort and security of a God who loves me, who will always be with me, and who hears even my silent thoughts. We do not have to fear; we can simply trust.

The enemy seeks to keep us in mental and emotional turmoil by troubling our thoughts. But II Corinthians 10:5 tells us to bring every thought into captivity. We do have the power, through God, to redirect our thinking and calm a troubled mind. Music inspires. Quiet time in God’s beautiful creation soothes the spirit. Meditating on the Lord settles inner turmoil. Coffee and conversation with a trusted friend can encourage. And the Word stimulates faith, speaking directly to our circumstances.

I don’t know how the chaos in our world will unfold, nor how God will choose to wrap up time and usher in eternity. But I do know that His Word declares, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). We know the end of the story. We’ve read the final chapter—and it’s good. Very good. I may not know every step from here to there, but I know this: I will keep my hand in His and walk on. I will hold fast to Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” The end of the story is glorious, and it will be worth it all. 

So, ladies, we are safe. God is with us. Whatever happens around us does not need to leave us discouraged or trembling in fear. Hold on to God. Our former Global Missions director, Bruce Howell, expressed it so well: “God is alive; God is awake; God is aware; God is alert; God is able.” With God, we will make it. “Let not your heart be troubled.”