Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: First World Problem (04/17/14)
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TITLE: The Call | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Ritter
04/21/14 -
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Up till then I was a PK – a pastor’s kid – trying to be good enough to live up to my father’s reputation, and his commandments of how I should honor him. The truth was that I hadn’t done a terribly good job. I resented the rules and hated the expectations. Because of the trouble I got myself into my father had to bail me out of trying circumstances more than I care to remember. He wasn’t happy with me, and frankly, I didn’t care. But God’s call changed everything.
I cleaned up my act, actually began reading the Bible, surprised everyone with plans to attend seminary, and changed my father’s attitude toward me one hundred eighty degrees.
Not knowing any differently I attended seminary that reflected the tradition of my denomination. There I learned about God and Jesus, but I was also encouraged to ask questions. “Is the Bible really the authoritative Word of God?” “Is the Bible truly an inspired work?” “How probable was it that Jesus actually rose from the grave?” The answers given led me down a particular theological road that ended in doubt as to the validity of my faith. Regardless, I persevered, graduated with honors, was assigned a church in which to serve, and continued to please my father.
I was faithful to my flock in passing on the teachings I had gleaned. Every Sunday we’d faithfully observe the rote service I’d been taught: hymns, creed, prayer, offering, meet and greet. Everyone would shake my hand at the rear of the church and tell me how lovely the sermon was; I’d send them on their way. The following week we’d repeat the process. The church had many wealthy donors and we prospered.
In seminary the Book of Revelation had never been taught with much belief or fervor. It was considered allegorical and of not much application to our lives, present or future. I might have read the whole book through once in my ministerial career. One day, however, my Bible fell open to Chapter 3 and I happened to read Christ’s message to the church in Sardis. What struck me was this: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!”
Reflecting on my church, my career, my life, my lack of faith that had grown immensely, I knew I’d better wake up. I realized I couldn’t continue doing what I had been for the last nineteen years. After much agonizing and soul searching I responded to the message I believed God had given me. I walked away from the church.
Shock and dismay followed me, particularly from my elderly father; again I didn’t care. I needed to find God and traveled the world to seek Him. I walked the bazaars of Marrakesh, touched the Black Stone of the Kaaba in Mecca, and ended up on a dusty road in Uganda.
Tending more toward Islam those days than anything, I came upon a weathered man with no legs who swung himself along on a battered set of crutches. He spoke English and we talked as we made our way down the road. He inspired trust in me and I told him my story. He nodded and lamented, “Yes, that appears mostly to be a first world problem.”
Asking him what he meant he described for me his faith in Christ. “I was Muslim. Islam could do nothing for my sins. I tried by honoring the prophets and many other rituals. My sins continued to plague me.”
It was only when he’d been introduced to Jesus in a dream that he saw his need for a Savior. He repented. “After all what was the first sermon Jesus preached? ‘Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near!’”
Persecution followed as Jesus promised. He suffered terribly from a machete attack. The Holy Spirit gave him comfort. Through that his faith had grown in his identification with the One who died for him. This man had counted the cost and knew its worth.
It was then that my life changed. I repented, something I had never done. Through that I gained new life. I learned the Word of God was true. I was truly born again. My real call to serve God began that day.
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