10 Years

One of the old war horses, a term of respect, once told me in great wisdom, “Figure out what type of preacher you are going to be and get to it as soon as possible.“ he further explained as he prepared to hit his second shot on the back nine of the Diamond Hill golf course, was I to be a pastor, a second man, a missionary, or an evangelist. Ray Hancock gave the right wisdom at the right time. It would still be four years until I knew for sure, but his directive is what I investigated every day all day until I knew for sure. I finally knew for sure on a Sunday in March 2016. It would be another three years until that precise directive became a practical reality.

I remember the morning that I announced that calling at Wahoo Baptist Church. At the end of the service I testified to our congregation that God was directing me to be an itinerant evangelist preacher. One of the ways that I knew for sure was that the Lord had been working that same direction in Angels heart. One thing I learned is that not everybody’s journey to their respective assignment is going to be exactly the same. I did not have instruction to sell everything and move my family into a camper with no preaching appointments on the books. My journey would be a process. He still had work to do on me and in me.

It has been 10 years now. A little over six years ago I walked away from a really good job with a really great company with really good benefits and entrusted my entire occupational income to the Almighty. With all due respect to past men, the Lord has been the best boss I’ve ever had.

Ten is a Bible number of testimony. As I travel down I 75 toward another heaven provided Appointment, I testify to you that no matter the road along this journey, there is nothing better than being obedient and submissive to the perfect wheel of God. Sadly, I have not always seen it or submitted to it, but His grace and mercy have kept me in it.

Whatever years remain, I plan to fan the flame and run through the tape at the end of my race. Won’t you do the same?