The lives of Ray and Margaret Belesky with simple, biblical truths transformed over 60 teenagers who lived in their mansion home called Bethel, as well as scores of pastors and wives, including me. They improved everyplace and everywhere they went and now are enjoying heaven. Margaret’s last words on this earth were, “How is everyone? Have you had something to eat?” She was improving lives until the end.

Scripture

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
They will continue to grow stronger,
and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
Psalm 84:5-7

Observation
I want to make this world a better place.
With a pathway traced
Not with footprints
But with improvements
In lives refreshed
And wilted things flourishing.

I don’t want footprints in the sand
I want to leave behind puddles in the desert
To show where God showed up
To refresh the weary.

But that will not happen with my
Gusto
Good intentions
Or get-up-and-go.

The octane of this journey is “strength” that “comes from the Lord”.
Because we can be more enthusiastic than we are empowered
And more committed than we are surrendered.

Mind you
I must have the road map not just in my mind
But in my heart.
This decision to move on toward a better place must be thought through.
This is not the Travel Channel
We’re hitting the road
And the road will hit us if we haven’t already inscribed the journey in our souls.

But the strength comes from the Lord.
That’s why Ezra started his journey to Jerusalem on empty
With hungry stomachs
Because there is fuel from the Lord
More important even than breakfast.

Application
Today I chose strength beyond myself
And may my path be like that of a river in the desert
Whose trail can be discerned
By the strip of green
Through brown and weary places.

Prayer
Father, please strengthen me for the work that is before me. Let my life be an ice chest full of Gatorade to re-hydrate the weary where the water does not flow. Amen.