Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 23 of LENT Monday, April 3

I grew up in the home of a pastor. But, at no time in that growing up period did I ever feel any call from the Lord to become a pastor. From my freshman year in high school on, I felt I wanted to become an attorney. I never seriously considered any other profession and after graduation, marriage and law school I started practicing law. As an attorney, I enjoyed the prestige of that profession and the constant opportunity to help the people who came my way. I especially enjoyed the part of my practice that allowed me to help adventurous souls start their own businesses. I liked the idea of helping people achieve their dreams through careful planning, capital formation and the development of a good idea. It began as just a thought, deep in recesses of my heart and mind. Not fully formed; not fully articulated. Just a partially formed impression: "Will you preach?" In the middle of the quiet time of the day, on a cold January morning—"Will you preach?" A mistake? A mis-perception? A missed signal? I wasn't exactly sure what to think. I had been practicing law for fourteen years. It was my profession; how I was known. Why would God call me? My family had been members of an outstanding church for almost twenty years. I had taught Sunday School, served in many leadership positions, both local and beyond. I was a committed layman, a pillar of the local church. Why would God want me to preach? Surely there were others more qualified, more trained, more called. But the call persisted and I responded to it. Almost without knowing it, I became a "called one," a pastor. But sometimes the thoughts of change were daunting. How would we pay our bills? Where would God call us to serve? What about the change for my children? My wife? It is one thing to be called of God as a person, it's entirely another to be called as a husband and father. Part of their identity was tied up in my profession as an attorney. How would the change affect them? Now, after five years of active pastoring, I can clearly see God's faithful hand. His hand guided my wife through the process of accepting a potentially security-threatening change. His hand guided my two girls through the process of each of them giving up their dreams to go with their dad and mom to a new place of service. And best of all, his hand had provided at every step of the way. His faithfulness has been beyond measure. We have been blessed to plant a great church, to love the people and be loved in return. To have our financial needs met at every turn and to exchange our former dreams for God's future. Is God faithful? I join with the psalmist: "The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?" Ps. 89:5 (NIV) Chuck Wilkes Highlands Ranch, CO USA Father, Thank you for seeing something in me that no one else ever could. Thank you for challenging me and bringing me to a place where I can hear your call, and experience the joy of responding to it. As you are faithful every moment, help me to be faithful to you, for it is that faithfulness that becomes my own sense of credibility and integrity. Whatever I am, whatever I have... is yours. Gladly. Amen Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 89:1-18] [Gen. 49:1-28] [ I Cor. 10:14 - 11:1] [Mark 7:24-37] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 22, 6:55 a.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Joe Hittle The background set is provided by For His Glory Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.