12172022 The Hound of Heaven

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the Great Seeker of Souls. Francis Thompson called God “The Hound of Heaven.” His poem tells the story of the sinner. “I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;/ I fled Him, down the arches of the years;/ I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways/ Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears/ I hid from Him, and under running laughter.”

As the poem progresses, the sinner seeks solace in many things but never finds it. Meanwhile, the Hound of Heaven pursues. “Those strong Feet that followed, followed after./ But with unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace,/ Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,/ They beat – and a Voice beat/ More instant than the Feet -/ ‘All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.’” The sinner, still running, continues finding emptiness, but is relentlessly pursued by “the following Feet” of the One who sought him.

For some, the journey to God is slow, but praise God that He is longsuffering and patient! He often gives repeated opportunities. He continues whispering longings into the soul of man. He continues putting Christians into the sinner’s path.

Today was the fourth out of the last five Saturdays that I have spent most of my day traveling to my doctor, receiving treatments, and then resting while my body absorbs them. I have a long history with this doctor, and I have a concern for her soul. She has always been respectful when I have shared anything about God, but nothing more. The format of these treatments, often 1-2 hours in her office, sometimes just the two of us, and with nothing to do but wait for the IV to drip, has given unprecedented opportunities to speak more deeply with her.

The doors really began to open when I asked her (of all things) about the significance of her tattoo. Several weeks ago she shared that she has been on a spiritual journey for a little over a year, before which time she was an agnostic. Most weeks we’ve had some opportunity to talk along these lines. Today was phenomenal! It was almost like she wanted me to tell her what I believe. I was able to talk about man’s need for redemption and God’s provision for it, tying in the Christmas story and sharing some specifics of my own conversion.

I truly believe the Hound of Heaven is after Andrea. She is not ready to embrace Christianity, but she is curious. She told me that a doctor friend of hers tells her the same things and that her brother gave her a study Bible. So there are others on God’s team in her life. (Doesn’t that sound like, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”?)

She has been turned off by empty religion, by “Christians” in the past who have lived wicked lives, and by Christians who have spoken harshly and condemningly to her and her daughter when they were seeking answers. She has been most impacted by those who have shared the truth in a caring way. “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” She thanked me for praying for her as she continues her spiritual journey.

I have hope. I believe God is drawing her and putting people in her path. He is giving her the same message from multiple angles. I might never again have opportunities like those of the past five weeks, but God can open up other opportunities with other people. He can pursue her and tug at her heart until she finally turns to Him.

I share this story to encourage you as you work with those who are running from God. First, that people respond to caring. Love will make a difference. Second, that you might play only a small part within the big picture. For some, you will intervene at the end of the process, when people are ripe for the harvest. For others, you might be at the beginning, while the person is still running as hard as he can in the wrong direction. Thank God that you and I are not the only Christians in the world, or in these people’s lives. Someone else may cross their path, planting more seed, sprinkling more water, sharing more truth, until the person can no longer resist the Hound of Heaven who has orchestrated it all.

Be encouraged as you continue your ministry, even if progress is slow. God will reap His intended harvest! “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA