I’ve been at a crossroads many times in my spiritual life — a place where, in order to go on growing and serving, I had to make a choice: My way or His way.
A major crossroads for me was the decision to step out of my comfort zone as an associate pastor and accept God’s call to be a senior pastor. I made the following entry in my journal, dated 1/30/92:
“Lord, I hear You and will obey. To shrink into obscurity e.g. teach guitar and work for Uncle Bud [at the grove] or teach in a Christian school in some obscure area appeals to me. But I choose the harder, more difficult task of leadership, of shepherding your people. To this I surrender. I only ask for Your place and time of service. My life is at Your disposal.”
Kind of sounds like I was headed for the gallows! But honestly, doesn’t God’s call sometimes seem like that? For sure, it’s often a death-to-self decision!
God is faithful and true. There is no way to count the blessings for me and my wonderful family that have result ed from that step of obedience many years ago. Indeed, Jeremiah 29:11-13 declares:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”