I have always feared being called to be a missionary or even worse, a street corner preacher. Before you get mad, I am NOT saying there is anything wrong with either of these…I believe both are called and used by God. I was simply afraid it would be me!
In my last post, I began to tell you about another crucial step in this journey – one that changed everything for me.
Eighteen months after I began my new quiet time habit, in the early spring of 2002, the controller at our dealership resigned to seek more income. Because this is such a key position, I was crushed! He was a Christian, good at his job, and we had a great relationship. I really questioned God as to why He would let this happen to me!
As the oldest of three sons, I was always the one expected to take over the family business. It was all I knew. It was all I had ever pictured as my future…and I was walking away. After six intense months of reading and studying my Bible and praying, I was certain I had to make a significant change in the direction of my life.
In my last post, I explained how, after 20 years as a Christian, I was convicted of not treating the Bible as God intended – as an instruction book for this life. This conviction had come through reading a book on a trip to Hawaii and left me eager to start studying my Bible.
I had a serious problem. I had a blind spot and did not know it. I was raised in a Christian home. I accepted Jesus and was baptized when I was 10 years old. I grew up in a small-town Baptist church and was given a great faith foundation and working knowledge of the Bible. I was a good kid and never got into much trouble.