Always for Him, Always by Him

When we embarked on our 30th anniversary trip to Hawaii, it seemed significant, not just the blessing of decades of dedication, but as springboard toward continued rich, resplendent life together with the lady I love making lavish this life of faith with hers.  For well over a month now, I have been posting a picture a day (with a few skipped), on my Facebook page, from our trip to O'ahu and Mau'i, along with my interactions then and now as God speaks into my life.  A few have been posted to this blog, this one intersecting all aspects of my 'life'. 

It had been raining and this trail.  Slippery and slightly treacherous it stopped nearly all visitors early on; except us.  Carrie and I ventured to what appeared as end to the few arriving here, but I entered this 'hole in wall' of bamboo.  Narrow was the short, winding path, continually shrinking as even fewer and fewer seemed venture deep into its soul.  There is evidence of many walking up to the opening with decreasing evidence the further I ventured in. 

Significant is this image, as life and camera collide here and now in this soul spoke then as it does today.  This month is the month my California State Teaching Credential expires, and today I finish my last class to allow licensing by Wesleyan Denomination, as minister in the State of California.  Reflecting on my teaching career, I can see ministerial evidence as I cared for every student given privilege to teach, some taking up such care, stopping by my class after school or while they were on break, asking advice or in the days I taught at Christian schools, prayers.  It was an honor to invest deeply into those souls and via Facebook I get to continue, with some, in efficacy of prayer, as I follow their journey in life.

Thirty years ago, I headed down this ministerial path, my father then affirming as I started college, that I would be a wonderful minister, the calling seemingly fitting my character.  To most, it would appear I became derailed.  One of my professors made a statement that rocked me and sent me down a longer road.  He said,

"Ministry is the most difficult job anyone can fulfill.  I implore you, if there is any other job you can do that will bring satisfaction into your life, as career, do that.  For if you are not assured of your call, if not satisfied with nothing else but professional ministry, you will be led to ruin"

And so it was, I pursued everything else, until now.

I am not sure of what lie ahead.  But I am confident in The One who knows, making my feet sure on slippery ground, moving this heart compassionately forward.  For I can say to my professor,

I heard those wise and wonderful words, drinking them in exploring, all along, such satisfying jaunts as vocation and growth.  Pressing through each, I gleaned abundance and insight, investing my heart and soul employed, entrusted by those who saw my gifts.  However, in each job, I found a ceiling, a wall, or growing dissatisfaction, needing something more.  It was there, I discovered an opening to what lie ahead, the next step, and here, I find myself again.  I am thankful for the wonderful words, the brief moment where God used a professor to speak into this younger heart such wisdom.  And, I can, with utter confidence state:

Nothing, no other career, no other call will bring me more joy and satisfaction than that of ministry to those around me.  God has given this soul a sense of deep care for my fellow man, fashioned a rich faith, leading a rich life now fully cognizant of His rich call upon this soul of His.  Nothing brings greater satisfaction in this heart than spreading the words of God and His care into the souls of another.  I have seen miracle, answer to prayer and power unleashed in ways never imagined, not for my gain, but His  Not for my glory, but His.  Not by my hand, but His.  It was always for Him, always by Him.  May you and I always follow Him in this great adventure called life.