In 2011 I have had the opportunity to watch two young people come to the fullness of Christ.  Mary was born and raised in a Christian family and went to Christian schools.  However, shortly after graduation she left the comfort and love of her home to seek the world.  As you would expect, her family was devastated.

Bob was not raised in a Christian environment, but was cared for and loved.  He was never exposed to Christianity, graduated from high school, and started out in the world without Christ.

They were both from Pennsylvania, but from different sides of the state.  After much wandering and trying to find themselves, both applied to a very technically advanced watch school.  Hundreds applied to be accepted into this school…but very few were chosen.

As God would have it, this young woman and man were both accepted, and found each other at the watch school.  Over time, and with great prayer from her family, a deep yearning for God began to grow in Mary’s heart.  I had the opportunity to minister to Mary’s mother and, on one occasion, Mary herself.  Slowly, with the help of Tonya (a young woman who had lived with us years ago) Mary found her way back to God and to a small, dynamic church.  We all rejoiced!

She then asked Bob to come to church with her, and he agreed.  People in the church, of which I am a member, just embraced him.  Not much later, we all were gathered at an indoor swimming pool to witness Bob’s baptism.

At the baptism, each participant was asked to share a testimony.  With permission I would like to share with you what Bob presented.  He showed us how God can use anything, even a watch school, to reveal Himself.

“A man is walking through a forest and he comes upon a stream.  While following this stream he comes upon a crossing, and at the crossing there lies on a rock a beautiful pocket watch.  The man approaches the watch with beauty in his mind, for the sights, the intricacy, the intelligence behind the design and craftsmanship of the piece, holding it gently while observing its operation.  Not for one minute did the man assume it had always existed there on that rock, or that it would always be there.  It was designed, built, and released, to be enamored and serve its purpose in the world, relished for its design.  The creation of this watch parallels creation of man.  With profound intelligence, and thoughtful design we were also crafted, and, as in the story, never is any other possibility considered.

“I am here to declare my loyalty and love to my Creator, my Father, and my Teacher, to embrace my plan, that was always in motion, even when I was unaware.”

Thank you Bob for showing me a fresh, new perspective of our lives in Christ.  May we all remember to embrace the plan that the Lord has for us with loyalty and love.

Anne

Anne Pierson is the Director of Ministry Services for Loving and Caring, Inc., a national ministry whose mission is to provide resources, training, and encouragement to life-affirming people and organizations.