The Story Isn’t Over – but it will take some realization – A Morning Devotional From the Edges.

The Story Isn’t Over –

Pastor Calvin Cook – June 13, 2025

Scripture focus: John 21:25  Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. u(ESV)

I keep coming back to the closing words of the Gospel of John. A renewed sense of God’s presence in our lives but more importantly that we can’t even begin to see or know how big of a God that we have. We can’t even see God working, when our focus is on the things that are really distracting us.

I pray for breakthrough and yet to I realize fully when that break through has happened. I pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede in everything, but do I really pause to recognize, give thanks and be humbled in those breakthrough moments. More than once, I have found myself ready to quit, to give up, and I question God. “But I have seen you in the formation of this plan. I believe you have brought me to this place. Why does it seem that you are absent?” My inner self says, and I probably speak  out loud “I am ready to quit, to give up!”  I confess I have thought and maybe even said that a lot lately. And then it happens, just like the unexpected visitor that shows up at the door that you have been waiting and wanting to see. Breakthrough comes. The answer to the prayers you have been praying – is right in front of you.  And suddenly you realize the words of the John 21:25 – “you can’t even realize all that Jesus has done, is doing, and will do. No books or journals can contain it.” 

Here we are again just like the Disciples after the ascension. Thinking that the best of life and purpose is behind us. Distracted by the many things that confront us every day.  Thinking that in the midst of our life that our best is behind us. Yet once again the promises are made and kept and new life, new vision, new experiences come and change us.

This to is what the early followers of Jesus experienced in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. That once they thought it was all over – God appears – this time in the form of Spirit. A Sprit that descends and takes over everything. Are we experiencing that? We are, through our faithfulness, through receiving all that God is giving us including the residence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet we get drawn off and away – we get torn apart, not thinking that repair and rescue are in sight. But once again that visit enters in and changes us into the Spirit filled, Jesus following, people we were called and created to be.

My dear friends – with an agape love I want to share with you that life isn’t over, it is only beginning. Through the power of the great advocate, comforter, teacher we will see the glory of God revealed in our lives through our faithfully trusting in God and not in a worldly view that was never meant to consume and control us.

Prayer – Holy Spirit – pray on my behalf this morning – bring me to the place where I only recognize you and not everything which comes against me. Give me once again power and authority to defeat the enemy. Guide me God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – In Jesus name I pray – Amen