Awakening this morning after a night of weird dreams, I viewed out my living room windows to see that breathtaking moon that God hung up there just for me I feel. Am still wiping the sleep from my eyes in trying to focus when those four components of today's blog slipped into my brain; heart, moon, blood and joy so let me unfold how those four rivers come to confluence this morning for this, for me, is a very special morning so let me explain and see if God has embedded a special message for you in someway.
Almost exactly twenty-years ago at this very moment on the clock plus the six hours time difference in Europe, I was experiencing a heart attack so April 7, 1990 at 1240 European Standard Time always resonates in my life. The event was, in retrospect, not all that traumatic but for a few hours and days after that basketball game but remembering vividly laying on the cold floor of the men's locker room with many people hovered around me, encouraging me, praying for me, seeing tears and fears melted together; all a tapestry that will never be removed from my mind's vault. Having just played a basketball game against the varsity men's team of the American International School in Luxembourg and had beaten them soundly, I realized I have allowed myself to slide back to my college playing days with no thought of the overexertion implication at forty-two years old. I was sinking shots and blocking shots galore. Racing up and down the floor, setting up shots, rebounding with reckless abandon and having a wonderful time; so vivid. But then I knew!
As it turned out, the heart attack was relatively light with no residual affects physically but with tremendous emotional and spiritual affects going forward. See, I realized after the fact, that God had given me a wake up call plus another chance. I looked at life much differently. I loved my family more and wanted to be better at everything. As it came time to return to work, I could not wait for it was like I had to prove something to someone. But twenty-two years ago, no doubt, my life was changed in path, in direction, in every way.
As a family we rarely even speak of that day now and doubtful they even think about it much but one more, those twenty-two wake ups always leave me with such a sense of humbleness at how God has used those twenty-two years in so many ways. So this day, my heart and what happened with it is a backboard on my goal of life. I thank God everyday for the gift of life He provides me in allowing me to do what I love so much with teaching, singing, loving, living!
In the Good Friday service at my church last evening, there was a short video used which was actual video of the human blood flow microscopically filmed with captions about human blood cannot be manufactured by Man but that Man cannot live without it. That few moments of video captivated my mind which I believe was God's plan to awaken me spiritually for this special day for my heart and me. Blood is to Man what Water is to Earth; it is life! So watching actual blood course through arteries was such an impactful view for me and touched me deeply.
So my heart attack, the phenomenal beauty of the moon and the powerful reality of blood are the rivers the flow around me but have come to confluence in my life this day in reflecting and counting the Joy of this life for one Jim Williams for my life does abound with true joy. That joy is manifested in so many ways. Just this week in getting to sing to a phenomenal group of older folks always bring enjoyment to me in seeing how music can be such a blessing but this time I felt real joy in my soul in getting to exercise my ministry of music. That still amazes me when I think about being identified by so many people through my music; that is a gift God has granted me and I know it.
Just this week we have witnessed tremendous prayer-driven improvement in the stamina improvement of my student, Justin Wigington that hopefully will allow the ventilator to be permanently removed so rehab can begin on his real issue of the broken back and trying to walk again.
Just this week I have seen growth in some students that I realize God has positioned me to be part of that growth as they prepare for a future. That is a true Joy for me to see successes where there seemed to be no way to gain success.
Just this week I have witnessed further spiritual growth in a young man, former student, God opened the door to his heart several months ago but this week I believe that pathway was moved from the brain to the heart which is where the Spirit resides. I could not be happier in seeing this spiritual progress for it requires a life change ... a CHANGE in LIFE .... that is powerful isn't it?
So Heart, Moon, Blood and Joy = LIFE CHANGE and I can tell you that if God took me home today that I can honestly and sincerely write those words of description; my life has been changed for the better and what a blessing it is to be able to write those word of testimony. It is because of that that I believe God has opened up floodgates of ministry in song, in teaching, in witnessing, in encouraging, in loving the life I get to live but the greater joy is in knowing that life that waits for me when this life is over is going to be even better. THAT is the real joy.
Jim - God has blessed your life richly as he has many of us. We can all shout "halleluiah" over and over, but with your communication skills, your have shared your joy and appreciation of life and God so openly via your writing, teaching, and music that it truly reminds others of how blessed they are. I know that when you greet our Lord, He will smile as He shows you the lives you have touched. Karen Starry
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