The story behind this article captures lyrics of a scripturally-based expression given to Minister Jenise “Sandy” (Blake) Gilliard on Nov. 24, 2016. The timing couldn’t have come at a more needful time in Gilliard’s life, for this was the year she gained the victory over a yearlong battle with breast cancer. After months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and radiation, she stands in support of those who are fighting breast cancer, who survived breast cancer, and who fought a good fight until they transitioned to a better place. This article is a tribute to them, along with the millions of family and friends who are standing and have stood with them. It is Gilliard’s desire that people everywhere will be as inspired and motivated as she was by these lyrics.
THE GREATEST PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD HAS NO ADDRESS! Can you determine where this place is?
This place: HAS NO ADDRESS… no phone number… no Internet service… no email address; REQUESTS NO ID… no Social Security number, no driver’s license, no birth certificate; NEEDS NO PASSPORTS… no reservations or appointments… no luggage… no roundtrip tickets… no TSA screening… no security checkpoints; REQUIRES NO MODE OF TRANSPORTATION… no car… no truck… no cab… no boat… no bus… no plane… no train… no taxi… no shuttle bus… no Uber… no Lyft service;
ENGAGES NO GPS… DEMANDS NO DRESS CODE… ENFORCES NO RULES… no regulations… no laws… no guidelines… no procedures… no qualifications… no criteria… no red tape… no bureaucracy; DISCRIMINATES AGAINST NO RACE… no religion… no gender… no age; PREFERS NO SOCIAL STATUS;
CONSISTS OF NO DETOURS… INVITES NO P.R. … no TV commercials… no newspaper advertisements… no radio announcements… no press releases. This place:
Is VERY ECONOMICAL AND INEXPENSIVE; yet, not many people reside there; Is the ONLY PLACE WHERE YOU CAN DO A QUICK ROUNDTRIP no matter where you are;
Is a POPULAR PLACE known to many; yet, it’s not in high demand; Is a QUITE CONSERVATIVE place with no need for money, credit cards, debit cards, Cash App, or PayPal; yet, it has many valuable commodities not found in Walmart, grocery stores, or the open marketplace;
Is a place WHERE YOU CAN LOSE TRACK OF TIME or even get lost; yet, there’s no desire for a clock or a GPS; Is NO COMPARISON TO BIBLE STUDY, church, workshops, retreats, conferences, crusades, seminars, revivals or camp meetings; yet, it doesn’t appeal to most;
Is a PEACEFUL PLACE that offers no entertainment, extracurricular activities… no music, no choirs, no praise teams, no praise dancers, no bands; yet, it’s very fulfilling and brings great joy; Is a place WHERE THERE IS NO SOCIAL MEDIA, yet, it requires Facetime;
Is A place where PRODUCTS ARE INTANGIBLE; yet, many desire to feel them; Is A place where PRODUCTS ARE INVISIBLE; yet, many desire to see them; Is the BEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT PLACE in the whole world; yet, it’s the least visited; Is the SAFEST PLACE on earth; yet, not many seek shelter here.
THE GREATEST PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD IS NOT JUST “A” PLACE! IT’S THE “SECRET” PLACE!
(Psalm 91:1 -- He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty)
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles to shope@adgnewsroom. com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.