Life Changing Moments and White Flags

Have you ever had one of those moments that changes everything? Over 20 years ago, I was at a conference minding my own business when suddenly – they had an altar call for those who had avoided God's call on their life. I wrapped my arms tight around myself and became rigid. I knew that call was for me, but I was determined not to respond. You see, I was a preacher's kid, I had counted the cost and vowed that I'd never be in professional ministry. I climbed into bed that night and tried to go to sleep, but God had another plan. He scheduled a meeting with me and my attendance was mandatory. As I laid on the floor He contended for my future and the call on my life that I was running from. I'm a good negotiator, but when you negotiate with the living God, you can be sure you will lose! He, the master debater, defeated every argument that I presented before him. By the time it was over, I was waving the proverbial white flag. God was victorious, and I began to take steps that would eventually lead me to where I am today. Every word from God has an origin or starting point and also a timing component. It would take years to journey from the "word" to the activation and execution of the fullness of that call. Wait, fullness…I'm still in process, but I'm closer than I was! In his wisdom, He knew that my identity would have to be reworked, that I'd need to land on a pastor staff for years of training, there was ministry to develop and ground to take. As I walked through those years, I'd periodically wonder if I had missed an opportunity. But God was weaving it all together. My job was and is to be obedient.