Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt
Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt
Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
as if I was violently <strong>in</strong> love. The devil rode piggyback on myemotions. I began to put myself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> shoes of this young woman,try<strong>in</strong>g to imag<strong>in</strong>e what it must feel like to love someone whodidn’t return that love, and I would pity her.Marion was physically attractive, and we had an aff<strong>in</strong>ity toge<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> work of God. At what po<strong>in</strong>t does heavenly love turn tosometh<strong>in</strong>g earthly? Many have crashed to disaster at this po<strong>in</strong>t —where spiritual aff<strong>in</strong>ity between a man and a woman changes<strong>in</strong>to earthly love or someth<strong>in</strong>g that seems like it. This happenedto me.By <strong>the</strong> time I had completed two weeks <strong>the</strong>re, my peace hadgone and I was <strong>in</strong> turmoil, as <strong>the</strong> devil played emotional p<strong>in</strong>gpongwith me. I didn’t know what I felt. Do I love my wife? DoI love this girl? I was confused and didn’t know how to handle it.Noth<strong>in</strong>g had taken place between us. I had done noth<strong>in</strong>g butshake her hand. There had been no touch<strong>in</strong>g, no kiss<strong>in</strong>g, noth<strong>in</strong>gat all.I left Lancashire and returned home, filled with churn<strong>in</strong>g andupheaval <strong>in</strong>side my heart. <strong>World</strong> War II was on, and <strong>the</strong> wholecountry was <strong>in</strong> a panic, add<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> confusion I had <strong>in</strong>side. Iknew I loved my wife. Deep down <strong>in</strong> my heart, I knew she was<strong>the</strong> woman <strong>the</strong> Lord had appo<strong>in</strong>ted for me, but I was battl<strong>in</strong>g<strong>the</strong>se confus<strong>in</strong>g emotions.I decided to pass Marion on to someone else, and <strong>the</strong>n, I wouldbe safe. I said to our friend, Mrs. Fentiman, “Look, this youngwoman is very wide open to what we believe and needs someonewho will answer her letters. Won’t you please take her underyour w<strong>in</strong>g?” I politely delivered myself, and Mrs. Fentimantook on <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>istry of writ<strong>in</strong>g letters to Marion. Many peopledo this. Some chew pepperm<strong>in</strong>ts try<strong>in</strong>g to give up cigarettes, but<strong>the</strong> only deliverance that really works is when God takes <strong>the</strong>want away.Deliverance must be for <strong>the</strong> glory of God. Many people fail toget deliverance, because <strong>the</strong>y want it for <strong>the</strong>ir own convenience:f<strong>in</strong>ancially, health-wise, reputation-wise, but not for <strong>the</strong> glory ofGod. God withholds <strong>the</strong> grace, because <strong>the</strong> purpose of God’sgrace is for <strong>the</strong> glory of God. Grace <strong>in</strong>cidentally meets our need,but primarily, it is for God’s glory.73