Young Joey shouted, “Somebody’s comin’, Pa!” Pa replied: “Well, let him come” (“Shane,” 1953 classic movie).
How do we become who we are meant to be?
Like Joey, we may let that person come.
Or we may follow Ishmael’s example: “Call me Ishmael. Some years ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I’d sail about a little and see the watery part of the world” (Melville, “Moby Dick”).
In my case, “Call me Ishmael” became “Call me ‘Pastor.” After my 1978 ordination, Pastor, preceded my name. Life changed.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful God’s calling has helped me “sail about a little.” Perhaps you too will give thanks as my story may prompt you to contemplate God’s calling for you.
Personal History
New to Colorado Springs, our family somehow heard about a summer Vacation Bible School. Two sisters and I went. In a big overflow tent in the church parking lot, children gathered for Vacation Bible School where Mrs. Briggs told “flannel-graph” stories.
One day, she told us Jesus always pleased his Father in heaven. On the cross Jesus died for sinners like us. She offered: “Give your sins to Jesus; believe he took your punishment. He will make you one of God’s beloved children. Come, I’ll pray with you.” It was the best deal I’d ever heard! That day, my older sister and I set off on the adventure of life with Jesus.
Our family attended that church Sunday mornings and evenings. Once, a guest preacher deplored how few people were entering the ministry. He appealed for anyone who sensed God’s call to ministry to stand. Unexpectedly, I felt compelled. I stood. I was nine!
Years passed. I wondered: “Would God pay attention to the promise of a boy? Probably not.”
About a dozen years later, life pivoted 180 degrees. Some college friends and I heard a straightforward presentation about a father’s impact upon his children. That message went straight to my heart. Putting off psych grad school, my new priority was getting to know Dad better. I returned home.
Retracing thirteen hundred miles from college to Dad also brought me to the pews of my childhood church. Our Pastor’s son, another Steve, had recently returned from Viet Nam. During the war, he realized two things last forever — people and Scripture. Being a pastor combined them. Steve understood God was calling him to pastoral ministry. As I listened to Steve’s sense of calling, his message went straight to my heart. Again.
Exploring this Calling
“Call me Pastor.” Really? Like Ishmael, I had little money. How would I pay for seminary? When Dad and I talked about pursuing this calling, Dad encouraged me but warned me too.
After all, how deep did this calling go? According to some polls, Americans fear public speaking more than dying. I understood. Was my call deeper than this great fear?
Would this call sustain me through three rigorous years of seminary? Soon, I would wed. Would my new bride embrace this calling? And what about the children who would come?
And would others confirm and honor this calling? Was there anything else I could do? Hardly. Call me Pastor. Really.
Encouraging Others in this Calling
Fast forward to 2002, twenty-five years after seminary. My alma mater’s auditorium was packed. I was the speaker. How could I help these graduates foster love for God’s kingdom that would not grow cold? At one time, pastoral careers lasted 30 years or more. In 2002, the average pastoral career was less than half that.
For some, “Pastor” is the “visionary alpha.” Intrigued by a business model of the church, initially, I wanted to flourish my seminary diploma and jump in front. Now, I urged humility among these graduates.
In Paul’s letter to Christ followers in the seaport Corinth, he calls himself an “under rower of Christ” (1 Cor 4:1). The lowest deck of a Roman war ship had benches. There slaves could not see ahead, but their captain could. They followed his orders: “All row hard – row steady – starboard, row – port, row – stop!” Paul was saying: “You jealous Corinthians want the captain’s place.” Below decks, Paul was learning submission to Christ.
When I was an Associate Pastor in SC, our Senior Pastor was out of town. Our preaching schedule brought us to this “under-rower” passage. For 17-years, our Senior Pastor cared for our church well. Nevertheless, the women’s SS class teacher, wife of a wealthy man, an elder, had developed the passive aggressive habit of obviously working on her own Bible study during the sermon. Eventually, even after peacemaking attempts, she and her husband left.
This passage reminded me of those difficult days.
Now, twenty years later, in God’s providence, that woman sat in the audience when I spoke to the graduates. Call me Pastor.
“Pastors face adulation that swells the head, manipulation which ties the hands, and antagonism which breaks the heart” (Pastor Stuart Briscoe). How could I encourage graduates to walk with God — pursuing his calling despite these pressures? Would they preach the gospel to themselves?
I began: “Graduates, others will soon call you ‘Pastor.’ What will that mean? Let’s unfold Galatians 5:6 – ‘The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.’ I read the Bible for decades without understanding this priority.”
Faith Expressing Itself in Love
Inevitably, the messes of life come. The Holy Spirit whispers (Prov 22:19): “So that your trust may be in the LORD…” Now, friend, will you trust God as you complete that sentence with whatever challenge you are facing? Ask others to use that phrase with you, prompting faith. Such faith relies on the Good News of Jesus, sees past the confusion of life, believes the promises of God, taking action.
Christian, God has called you to be an under-rower in the priesthood of believers. Embrace your calling giving thanks. Humbly point people to loving God and neighbor through Christ, your Captain.
