Found: When All Seems Lost: He Identifies Me

By Bristan Heaven

When you've pushed God out of your life or business, how do you get him back?

 

It was a test of faith. The Hope family lived an idyllic life until tragedy struck, and Priscilla Hope's husband and sons were left to deal with their grief and anger at her loss.

 

Combining simple storytelling with provocative questions and life-changing coaching, Bristan Heaven leads the reader on a journey of self-discovery.

 

Each lesson includes a reflection section ideal for journaling to help you process the characters' experience and apply it to your own life. You'll learn how to build/rebuild a relationship with God and live and work in partnership with the Spirit of grace in the marketplace.

 

Even when all seems lost, you can be found.

 

"Thought-provoking, inspirational, and bittersweet." – Beverly A. Henley, Founder & Senior Pastor, The Gathering Ministry

 

"Transformative." – Brad Lindsey, Lead Pastor, Brookside Church of God

 

"Finding ourselves 'free to work at the pace of God's grace' is what we are all longing to find in every aspect of life." – Matt Gore, Husband, Father, and Business Leader

 

"Those serious about making kingdom impact in the marketplace will welcome this visionary book." – Abdullah Birdsong, Director of Business Modeling & Transformation, Novant Health, Inc.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingdom Reach Leadership
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986314907

Book preview

Chapter 1: FAITH

Lesson 1: Eternity

Priscilla Hope

The portal from earth to eternity stood before her. It glistened brightly, like something from a child’s fantasy book. Priscilla stood still, wondering if she should leave everything and everyone behind.

What would happen to her family? How would she be remembered by her closest friends? What about her purpose? Had she completed the work God had called her to do?

Was she ready?

As she moved closer, the portal glowed brighter and brighter. The sensation was so intense that her heart felt like it was about to explode out of her chest.

But where was she?

The darkness that surrounded her was made insignificant by the brightness radiating from the portal. She wasn’t cold, nor was she warm—the temperature was perfect. The trees cast eerie shadows that should have frightened her but didn’t.

For a moment, she wondered why no one was around. Then she knew that didn’t matter.

A deep, familiar longing drew her toward the light. It was a desire she had always known, a joyful awareness born within her when her mother shared the good news of God’s love and the amazing gift of his Son to a world that was lost and without hope.

There in the dark, she wanted to see God. She had always wanted to see him, and now the opportunity stood before her.

What should she do?

If she stepped through this portal that was an open door to eternity, she knew she would not return.

It was a defining moment.

She didn’t want to leave her family and friends, but her heart longed to see God. Just the thought of seeing Jesus’s face to face put a huge smile on her own and a warm feeling in her heart.

Without another thought, she leapt from earth to eternity and immediately was in the presence of Jesus. His brightness was more radiant than the sun. She felt loved, accepted, forgiven.

Then she heard the words that would shape the rest of her eternity.

Priscilla, are you ready to give an account of your stewardship?

Jesus’s eyes were more delightful than she had ever imagined. She knelt in humility, drawing a deep breath as she prepared to answer. But before she could say a word, her entire life on earth was displayed before her very eyes on a big screen as if she was in a glorious movie theatre.

She saw the moment of her birth, her younger years, the moment she accepted Jesus into her heart—yes, every detail of her life. As she watched in awe, Jesus spoke.

Long before I made the earth, I knew you, Priscilla. You were never an accident, you were an intentional act of love. I made you. I formed you in the womb, giving you strengths and weaknesses to help you live out my purpose for you. I have known you since before you were born and every day of your life has been recorded in my book. It has always been my desire for you to know me as intimately as I know you.

As Priscilla watched her life replayed on the screen, she could see Jesus at work in bringing her to him even in the most difficult and lonely parts of her life. She saw the ripple effect of her obedience touching countless lives that she never met personally.

She also saw the fruit that was lost, and the lives negatively affected by her selfishness and disobedience. 

And then she saw something she had never seen before—the final moments of her life.

Jesus gave her time to ponder those images, then asked if she was worthy to sit upon one of the thrones next to him and rule with him.

The question left her speechless.

She had served the Lord in love knowing that one day she would be standing before him, awaiting his eternal judgment. The opportunity to rule with him filled her with indescribable joy, but was she worthy?

Lord, you know all things. You know far better than I if I am worthy to rule with you.

The Lord smiled. His face shone brighter than the sun and his appearance was a very bright light. Even as she felt a holy awe that caused her to tremble, Priscilla felt an undying love that wooed her to the heart of her beloved King. It was the fear of the Lord coupled with the love of