10/29/2024
His journey to the cross was full of twists, turns, trials, heartbreaks, suffering, pain, and being misunderstood. People were judging him. Why? Because they don’t know his story or the call on his life. Nobody but God knew his plans for him, and what he would go through to get him to this very moment. My sister-in-law, Marcia, his wife preached the power of the call on Friday. When God calls you, there is nothing on this earth, visible or invisible that can stop God’s plans for your life. It doesn't matter what your life looks like. It doesn't matter if people judge you because of your past, they have a past as well. It was because of his past that God chose him. And his willingness to humble himself, surrender to God, and tell God yes! Yes, I'll accept the call. All the hell he went through built him up to carry the weight of the garments he was wearing to represent his call. Let's be clear, it is a heavyweight to follow Christ. And you have to go through what he's gone through. Can you leave your hometown, travel from city to city, have no place to call home, lose everything, become homeless, and people mocking you, and judging you, sometimes it comes from your friends and family. And all you know, all you have is your faith in God. The cross he carried to Mt Calvary was heavy. He could barely carry it because of the hurt and pain he endured. But he did it anyway because of the call on his life. And because of the call on his life, my brother Derek Gray understood the assignment and the call. I don't know half the story of what it took for him to get here. I am so grateful and thankful, and praise God for his relentless love, grace, and mercy he has shown him. I love you Derek, and I am so grateful and proud of you to call you my Big Brother.