"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
Looking back over the trajectory of my life I can recall several significant times I was the recipient of mercy. I will share a couple of those here and more on Sunday.
Several weeks after graduating from college I had an interview with the District Superintendent of my the Indiana North District. That was my home district. I was hoping he might recommend me to a church in that district.
I was nervous and uncertain of what I should expect. Never would I have expected what I received. To be kind to this man who has gone on to his reward, he was dismissive of me and rude to me. I was stunned by how I was treated. It was disillusioning. I was crushed.
A couple of days later I received a call from the late and great Forrest Gearhart. Rev. Gearhart was the District Superintendent from Northern Illinois and he asked if he could talk to me about a church opening in Princeton, IL. I was thrilled by his interest and I went for the interview. I was also nervous after the treatment I received from my own DS several days previously.
Fortunately for this 22 year-old I was warmly received and treated with respect. He actually wanted me as a pastor in his District and thought I would be a good fit for the Princeton Church. I agreed to candidate at the church in a few weeks.
All I wanted was a chance and Forrest graciously provided that for me. In view of that mercy I was determined and motivated to offer my best efforts to making sure I was worthy of the trust placed in me. You could say I offered myself fully and completely to the work of the ministry.
It was a good fit and over the next 10 years God blessed with a satisfying and fruitful ministry.
That one act of mercy - giving a green young kid a chance - paid big dividends. It may have saved my ministry. I remain deeply grateful to God and to godly people who showed me mercy at a time I desperately needed it.
And most of all, I give God glory for His great mercy!
Several weeks after graduating from college I had an interview with the District Superintendent of my the Indiana North District. That was my home district. I was hoping he might recommend me to a church in that district.
I was nervous and uncertain of what I should expect. Never would I have expected what I received. To be kind to this man who has gone on to his reward, he was dismissive of me and rude to me. I was stunned by how I was treated. It was disillusioning. I was crushed.
A couple of days later I received a call from the late and great Forrest Gearhart. Rev. Gearhart was the District Superintendent from Northern Illinois and he asked if he could talk to me about a church opening in Princeton, IL. I was thrilled by his interest and I went for the interview. I was also nervous after the treatment I received from my own DS several days previously.
Fortunately for this 22 year-old I was warmly received and treated with respect. He actually wanted me as a pastor in his District and thought I would be a good fit for the Princeton Church. I agreed to candidate at the church in a few weeks.
All I wanted was a chance and Forrest graciously provided that for me. In view of that mercy I was determined and motivated to offer my best efforts to making sure I was worthy of the trust placed in me. You could say I offered myself fully and completely to the work of the ministry.
It was a good fit and over the next 10 years God blessed with a satisfying and fruitful ministry.
That one act of mercy - giving a green young kid a chance - paid big dividends. It may have saved my ministry. I remain deeply grateful to God and to godly people who showed me mercy at a time I desperately needed it.
And most of all, I give God glory for His great mercy!
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