“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5
Does that lesson sound a little like the theme of last week’s posting? I suppose it does as it is a fitting continuation of my thoughts from then. But the focus this week will be less on the “rhythm of life” and more on the source of life we lead. I made mention that one of the great values of having weekly worship is that the seed of the Word was planted in me, watered and repeatedly reseeded year after year. It was there in my very early years and my teen years and in the years as I was getting ready for college. All that really meant to me, at the time, was that I needed to fill out applications for colleges and/or universities.
I’ve mentioned what an odd year it was, that 1967 for seniors in Albany High School. Because a “junior” (academically talented = “AT” student) had the highest grade point average, he was going to be the Senior class’s valedictorian. Those years were the years of protests and that was lived out at the high school. It was enough of a distraction that the administration worked hard and quickly to find an acceptable solution. So the senior class got their own valedictorian and a fourth application to colleges. Because we had more than 700 students in the senior class and each graduate got to complete 3 applications, the magnanimity of the administration was obvious when they allowed us to complete a fourth application.
So, the days of my graduation and move on to college was oddly providing more applications than I needed. I filled out three of the applications under the “encouragement” of my father. That was the hardest part since I had no direction. The only goal I had in mind was to get some degree from some college (or university) that would benefit me with increased pay, earning a “good” living.. The goal was only directed at earning a living and that could best be done getting a degree from a university. But whether I was thinking about colleges or universities, I had no specific goal in mind, only to focus perhaps on science or math since I had genes from my parents that made that pretty easy. Under further “encouragement” by my father, I sent off 3 applications to universities. I’d send one to the local school (maybe giving me a few extra “points” for going to the local university. And the state university at Buffalo had so many students, I could probably just slip by. And then the third application went to a university focused on science and math (maybe they wouldn’t notice my mediocre grades.)
But when Superman came on TV and I had 3 applications completed, I needed a rest and never completed that fourth one (I had no idea what I’d do with that one but it sat on the end table in the living room for the next week. And it was that final, last, “aimless” application that was going to be needed. With just that last week left for input on any direction, the pastor leading the senior high study, spoke to my heart and life as if from God Himself. Looking away from me, to the other end of the balcony, Pr Alger proclaimed thoughtfully (with more thought than I had used thus far.) “That’s the thing about scientists. They can’t mention God because God can’t be proved.” That was it. Really. Amazingly. Someone like me, who had considered my future so little, was moved by that “little sentence.” In those years, it wasn’t unusual for college students to change their major even multiple times. After all, who (besides me) could have a whole and complete change of life and never look back?
That Sunday, that last Sunday, my life was changed forever. No doubt there was much I had been learning from God all those 17 years, but it was all a “set up.” God was setting me up to go in a completely different direction. My head and heart were filled with God and His will. Thought after thought came into my mind. But at this point I was not as focused on the logistics but on the One Who was calling me, persistently. I had only one thought in mind about what I would be doing with my life. I knew (assumed) pastors did not earn much money and weren’t known for having a substantial income, but that had no power over my direction. I needed to answer the question of what I (and God) would be doing with my life. Would it matter if I had a lot of money or a little amount? I knew enough of the Word that once the direction was clear (and clear it was), I was as determined as St. Paul after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Like Paul, I knew that I would be content with a lot and content with a little since God was the One who would provide. As Paul had written to the Philippians, “ Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Next week I’d like to go further with some thoughts and evidence of God’s promises and assurances for us for a lifetime.
Peace and blessings in Him,
Pastor Johnson