Dr. Charles W. Ferguson

It has been a little while since I have posted. It is not for a lack of trying. Yet, I have found myself in the midst of a serious wave of new opportunities and new projects. Two days ago, I did my first book signing for my project, Led to the Stream: Refreshing in Life’s Valley.

I can’t express how much joy I have experienced in being able to finally get this work into people’s hands. I am now a published author. It is awesome. It is wonderful. It is cause to pause.

What do you mean? I am reminded of the many moments that God has given me victories, triumphs, and moments of extreme blessing and did not slow down to enjoy the process. The easiest way for a blessing or joy to become a curse or regret is not taking time to reflect and feel the depth of your own gratitude.

The last two weeks have produced some of the most banner moments of have experienced thus far. In time, I will be able to share one more experience. However, I just want to sit in this space for a moment and say Thank you, God….

If you have not had the chance, visit my online store to learn more about my new book…

squareup.com/store/ledtothestream

For the past 20+ years, I have been attempting to find who I am as a man, a preacher, servant, and a human being. It is quite difficult trying to discover the deep places of you. It’s even more difficult to admit that years have gone by and I wasn’t always able to pinpoint who I was or who I was going to be.

Different capacities of life have allowed me to search and discover major aspects of who I am. I have discovered that I am creative, intellectual, deeply spiritual, and a fun person. I love to write and express my feelings through many different mediums. I am passionate about execution of the gospel. I desire intellectual stimulation from those willing to engage in important dialogue.

Being engaged with each of these revelations have allowed me the opportunity to complete my first book. It was nothing more than a cathartic expression of my emotions, thoughts, and deep-seated feelings from a period of time that, at one point, I wanted to forget. Nevertheless, God has used catharsis to produce a work to help somebody going through similar trying times.

Normally, this portion would be the opportunity to push my book, Led to the Stream: Refreshing in Life’s Valley (https://squareup.com/store/LedToTheStream). However, I wanted to express the challenge of seeing something you hope for become very real.

I have been scared to death. I can’t believe that something in my mind and heart is now in black-and-white on pages in published print. I can’t explain in detail the challenge between fear and excitement. What I am able to express is that when God gives it to you and you trust God, it must come to pass.

I have high expectations of this work. I have great desire to have this book help somebody somewhere. More importantly, I am seeking God now to see how this endeavor becomes a launch point for greater works in my life and in aspects of ministry that I have never explored before.

You may be in the same boat as I am. You were trying to make sense of a new venture. You were trying to understand next moves that you didn’t see coming. Know this. The uneasiness is normal. The apprehension is not unusual. However, I have been told that at moments when these emotions come, we must not allow those deep moments that can arrest us keep us fulfilling our purpose and destiny.

In this season, everything God has destined and promised us will be calm as real as it gets. We have prayed for this. We have petitioned God for this. Now is the time to embrace the fulfillment before we miss our opportunity to see God at work. Touch it. It’s real now.

I was thinking today about how much I love two specific drinks. My body needs and wants water. I drink so much water that my wife would swear that I am a fish. But, I also enjoy the cool, refreshing taste of Mountain Dew. It has enough caffeine for my day. It has enough taste for my enjoyment.

Each of these drinks serve a purpose in the course of my day. As I stated before water brings life to my entire system. It flushes out toxins, softens the skin, and hydrates all my vital organs. Water is a necessary component for living.

In contrast, mountain dew is only good for one specific thing. And it gives an instant, temporary energy boost. This pop has given me more quick bursts in my academic journey, preaching preparation, and moments of anticipation than any other drink I can think of.

So why am I talking about these two drinks? I speak of them as object lessons for our lives. Sometimes in life people, situations, circumstances, or any other aspect of life provides certain aspects to our living that are good and necessary.

Some elements are water for our souls. We find refreshing when we listen to certain people. We find encouragement that washes away the toxins of doubt and fear. We discover moments that invigorate our purpose in our destiny all in one shot. Everyone needs water daily.

Sometimes, life presents us with caffeinated moments. They give us an energy boost to fulfill our purpose and our destiny. They give us a jolt so that we can demonstrate to the world that we don’t sit idly by while life passes. We have opportunities that generate a fire and an determination that seems to come out of nowhere if only for a moment.

Here is the kicker. Too much of a good thing can cause harm at unexpected moments.

As much as I love Mountain Dew, I would never drink it at the same capacity of drinking water daily. My body would begin to crave the caffeine so much that any level of withdrawal could do damage to my mind, my nerves, or any other aspect of my body.

Even water can potential he have damaging affects. If I drink too much at one time, my body can lock up. Too much water may be a sign that I’m thirsting for something else. It may be a sign that my body craves not the water, but other food, sugar, or anything else that the body may desire.

So be careful too many compliments. Be aware of too many moments that become pressing and not actual opportunities. Be careful of creating more energy for insignificant things and running out of that same energy to give to the most important elements of your life.

Stay balanced in your thirst, my friends.