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Many Voices, One Freedom: United in the 1st Amendment

March 28, 2024

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As we pass the needle and thread through the fabric of our lives, we often focus so sharply on the weave that we fail to see the One who guides the tip of the needle. In the quiet moments of pre-slumber twilight, I often reflect on outcomes and events that have occurred in my life and wonder. In these flashing seconds, I perceive the force of the Unmoved Mover—God Himself—acting with purpose in my own humble life. So brazenly apparent are these revelations that I feel ashamed for not having previously perceived them. I ask, why did I not see it before? It? The unspoken, unseen influences that have actually shaped the outcome of what I have sown have served to keep my feet on the ground.

Take my career in medicine, for example. How did I, a total screwball in high school, manage to become a physician? I asked God to make me useful. Was that it? After being taken advantage of in a business partnership, I vowed to build my own clinic. It took me seven bids before securing a property. I was ready to give up. But the seventh attempt yielded the best location for a clinic in the whole town, and the clinic was a work of art. Through the years of serving my patients in this clinic, I receive a good many discouraging words from other physicians in the area. Three physicians come to mind. One touted his success as “a businessman first.” Another mocked me for owning my own private practice: “You’ll never be able to sell your clinic.” A third shadowed the “businessman,” preferring the comfort of a guaranteed income, regardless of compromised care.’’

My clinic has just sold, and I never even listed it. (I never wanted to sell it, but a criminal suspension of my license forced the sale. Was that God’s plan?) Lo and behold, three physicians have been just recently hired to work there. Care to guess who they are?

That’s right. But how could this be? And why? I perceive a bitter-sweet emotion knowing who will soon be working in the clinic that I designed and constructed through my hard labor. The reputation of my clinic shall be no longer, and that saddens me greatly. But could it not also be a vindication from God? No, I could never prove it. My duty is to trust in the Lord with all my heart. Simple obedience to God is so very good for the soul! It endows the trustee with a sound body and mind.

Throughout my life, as I reflect on the journey, I do indeed see the hand of God upon my shoulder. Sometimes restraining, occasionally pushing, often redirecting, now and then setting up blockades—but surely God is there! We can never determine exactly how God is acting in our lives. We cannot prove with certainty that anything is an overt act of God. But when we take the time to look back and see how the path of our lives has been forged, we can detect the presence of God. To know that we actually can influence God to act on our behalf through prayer is most empowering. But equally empowering is the fact that God has offered us an opportunity to act on His behalf.

Serving God makes life worth living, whatever challenges it may bring. The fruit of our labor in the Lord always yields a crop. The harvest is ripe. The time to act is now, to be an actual doer of God’s word. In the doing, we give God something to work with. We are the clay molded by the Potter. And that feels good!

Twilight lessons have taught me that I’m not as good as I think I am. Not as trusting, not as faithful, not as holy as I’d like to be. But perhaps I’m not as bad as I think either. At least I acted and strived to live a meaningful life—a life set apart to serve my God and fellow man. At least I got in the game and played my cards as best I could. In the end, that’s what counts. The Lord of this universe can surprise us all if we only dare to stop and reflect.

As the Psalmist once scribed, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The truth is we will never know on this side of glory how God has directly intervened in our lives. But this is certain: God does act; God does influence outcomes, often as answered prayer, and sometimes simply because He is God.

The Unmoved Mover may choose to do, or not to do, based solely on His will. In the affairs of men, who but God can know His influence? But God does hold us accountable for our actions and inactions, because He chose to give us free will. With freedom of choice comes much responsibility. What’s important? To live! To do! And in all that living and doing, above all, to stand. When we stand for what is good and do what is just, and show mercy, and keep a humble spirit, then we find favor with God. Yes, the Unmoved Mover is there … waiting for you to make your next move. Make it a good one!

MANY VOICES, ONE FREEDOM: UNITED IN THE 1ST AMENDMENT

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Robin L Baker
Robin L Baker
2 years ago

You are truly gracious and inspiring. It is sometimes difficult to always trust that what is taking place is in our best interests. My husband and I own our clinic and it is a labor of love and devotion. We open each day, with our staff, in prayer. We are God’s instruments and we are here to serve. We are where He wants us to be at that moment; that can change tomorrow. May He richly bless you and your loved ones in every new endeavor and thank you for sharing your story.

HARRIET MCCOY
HARRIET MCCOY
2 years ago

Thank you, Dr. LaTulippe, for posting this! I work in functional medicine, treating the upstream cause, as opposed to the downstream symptoms, of illness, while getting my patients in the “ideal” ranges as opposed to the “reference” ranges. I have been attacked multiple times by the traditional, allopathic practitioners, but continue to focus on my patients’ needs as a priority. Your essay keeps me going. Thank you!

GiGi
GiGi
2 years ago

Sometimes asking for increased faith leads us into the vast unknown. While intently seeking a deeper, more personal relationship with God, something that felt different than mere obedience, I was actually deceived into taking a path that led me further away from Him for a few years. He finally intervened and got my attention. It was a painful experience. My faith has definitely increased, but the journey was not as I had imagined. It was testing through fire. Was my body delivered over to satan that my soul might be saved? Idk. It feels that way. I have been brought low and have learned humility. But I know that my God, himself is my shepherd. He sought me out when I was lost, brought me back from where I’d been scattered, he will bind up my wounds, he strengthens me in my illness. The fat and the strong he will destroy, and feed with his justice. I have learned that obedience is enough. Obedience looks quite differently to me now. It comes from a regenerated heart. It is all I need and it is how I have learned to demonstrate my love and my faith in my faithful Shepherd.

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