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Women's Ministries Heart Vision by Beth Fast


I began wearing glasses as a three-year- old! My pointy, reddish, finger-smudged frames made my scruffy, pint-sized, tom- boy face look like a little, old granny! A few weeks ago, the little nose pieces


on my glasses (now trifocals) broke, and I found myself struggling to focus. I kept pushing them up and smudging finger- prints on them with every try in a vain effort to get the lenses to sit where they should so I could see clearly. Reading was difficult; working on the


computer was a challenge; teaching music lessons became an actual headache, and life was “fuzzy” to say the least! I finally made it into the optometrist’s office, and in a blink of an eye, I could see! Life came back into focus! Whew! What a wonder- ful relief ! Recently, while reading Ephesians, I


came across a not-unfamiliar prayer: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing great- ness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18,19 NASV). Aſter my brief broken glasses episode, it came to me more clearly than ever before!


“the eyes of your heart” — I think that’s what my life is focused on. I have to ask myself: What is most important in my life? What are my goals, focus and direction? I know it should be obeying and serving the Lord. Yet how easily and quickly I stray from that center, get distracted and off course.


“may be enlightened” — I need the spot- light of God’s word to shine into the shady corners and crevices of my heart and give me clear vision, transparency


and perspective on what my nature is truly like.


“so that you will know” — In this world of questioning, doubt, and second-guessing all that we once held sacred, I certainly would love to really know something— absolutely, without a doubt! God promises that when he shines his spotlight on my heart, then I will know who I am in Christ. How totally secure I really am in my posi- tion as a daughter of the King! What a comfort to know that God, himself, has a firm hold on me!


“What is the hope of His calling” — When did God call you to be his child? I was just five or six years old when he touched the heart of that little tousle-headed tomboy in the backyard of our house in Toronto and called me to be his child. I remember that day. I knew then, that God had a place and a plan for me to fulfill in his family, and I could hardly wait to get started! What joy! What security! What a Savior! Tat day I learned God loved bespecta- cled tomboys too!


“what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” — Now, I never thought of myself as rich in money or possessions. I grew up in a ministry home, never wanting for any- thing, but certainly not having it all! But Sisters, I am rich! I am wealthy in his mercies, prosperous in his promis- es, flush in his provision, loaded with his love! And it is all never ending! It comes from my Father who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills”. My inheri- tance is enormous!


Lastly Paul prays that I would know “what is the surpassing greatness of His power to-


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ward us who believe.” I am afraid I have only scratched the surface of his power. But as I thought about what “his power” to me has done, the “eyes of my heart” grew really big! He has power to: • Communicate his love to me • Change me • Save me, make me his own • Protect me • Provide for me • Strengthen and encourage me • Enlighten me, teach me and get through to my stubborn heart


• Overcome in and through me • Power to be all I need in every situation!


As I begin to grasp what this really entails in my life I realize that I can make trades. I can exchange:


• Fear for faith • Panic for praise • Fatigue for refreshing • Anxiety for assurance • Seclusion for spiritual union • Hurt for healing • Te fleeting for forever Wow! I can see clearly now, as I let God’s spotlight shine into my heart, clearing away the stumbling blocks and fulfilling his purpose in my life every day. Let me encourage you, my dear sisters, to open your eyes and see what God has in store for you today! Blessings on you all, my Soul Sisters!


Beth Fast serves alongside her husband Jim at Community Bible Church, Prince Albert, Sask. She is presently the chair of the Com- mission on Women’s Ministries. A mother of four and a grandmother to seven, Beth also gives private music lessons.


Fellowship Focus, May/June 2016


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