Things in my testimony that have helped me that may help others:
- I’ve learned to submit to God’s Will and God’s Timing– Acts 9:6 “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do”. Not my will but thine- I’ve surrendered my plans to His plans. Ministry begins by wanting to please God. God’s Timing is Perfect- Any faster would have wrecked my life.
- I’ve learned to be a Good Employee– Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”. Paul was a tent maker and I can just imagine being the best at what he did. Show up, be dependable, work hard, have a good testimony, don’t complain, be a help spiritually to others.
- I’ve learned to Sit under Godly Men– Hebrews 13:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow”. Theres wisdom, understanding, experience, Bible knowledge, etc. I needed to be teachable, I needed correction, instruction.
- I’ve learned to be Patient– Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be or good outrage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD”. “Be still, and know that I am God”. God is not waisting time when He is making me wait. That’s part of God’s plan.
- I’ve learned that Ministry is Difficult– II Corinthians 7:5 “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears”. People are difficult, making decisions is difficult, preparing for lessons and preaching is difficult.
- I’ve learned to Balance Family, Church, Work, and sermon preparation– I Timothy 3:5 “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God”. I’ve had to learn when to turn off work, study, minister, say no, be available, go home, be a husband, be a father.
- I’ve learned to be Content– Philippians 4:11 “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”. Bigger church, better car, etc. God has given me a responsibility to be faithful in what God has put in my hands not in what’s going on in another church.
- I’ve learned to Please the Lord rather than Men– Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?” It’s easy to measure success by people’s response. If I preach and pastor to please men, I’ll compromise doctrine.
- I’ve leaned to Rest in Christ– Matthew 11:28-29 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. I can become consumed with doing for Christ that I forget to rest in Christ.
- I’ve learned to Get Counsel From Older Men– I Kings 12:8 Regarding king Rehoboam- “But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him”. Theres experience, wisdom, and Biblical knowledge.
- I’ve learned I need More Prayer– John 15:5 “without me ye can do nothing”. It’s not about trying harder its about “ I need Him more”. Time in prayer accomplishes more than without prayer.
Conclusion: God uses Ordinary Faithfulness- I got saved, got discipled, learned to be a good husband, learned to be a good father, learned to work hard, learned to serve, learned to sit under my pastor, learned to be patient, a Bible study was started at a hotel, a church was built, now pastor a bi-vocational church. Individually these don’t seem spectacular but God was doing something.
I’m thankful for what God has taught me. God didn’t just save me and then suddenly put me into the ministry. God put people in my life to disciple me, train me, teach me, correct me, and show me how to serve God. And now “by the Grace of God I am what I am”.