Who are you?

Do you remember when you were a kid growing up? It is like you had so many dreams! I remember my dad being a volunteer firefighter having to rush out and help put the fire out in a local house. Then there was my uncle Billy, who was the Fire Chief in Mountain View Arkansas. Yes you guessed it, it caused me to want to be one too. I dreamed of rushing into those hot flames and helping someone to get out.

I remember the friends that my family had there in Portadale Georgia. Because my dad and uncle was a volunteer, they knew the local policemen. And so my mind wondered and I thought about being a police officer. Taking down the bad guys. And then helping those in need.

As I grew up into a young man, I wanted to be an auto mechanic. So I went to college and studied the arts of taking engines apart and fixing them. And there were so many areas of mechanics that a person could become a professional in. Engines, transmissions, air conditioners, and the list goes on.

Then there were that moment in time, where nothing satisfied me. I sought for one thing. And that one thing seemed to be far out of my reach. But little did I know, that it was within my reach. I just did not know how to reach it. And that was to follow the will of God. Studying the word of God and becoming that man of God that could touch others. Even then, learning to reach, teach, and preach, it was still not enough. I wanted more.

While in prayer, I expressed to the Lord, “I want to be used by you!” Then the Lord spoke into my heart and said, “I can’t use you.” My heart was crushed! I asked the Lord with tears flowing down my cheek, “Why not?” He said, “You are not walking in your calling.”

I was stunned! “What do you mean I am not walking in my calling? ” Those were my thoughts. I was reaching people and bringing them to church. People were getting baptized and getting the Holy Ghost. I was teaching them the plan of salvation according to the scriptures. And I was preaching in every door that opened itself unto me. How could God say that about me?

Then God begin to remind me all through the years. It was like a movie projector. I saw different scenes flash before my eyes. And each of these scenes, God reminded me of what I prayed as a child. What he spoke to me through a prophet as a teenager. What he spoke to me through another man of God as a young adult. That list went on for a few minutes as it seemed. We all know it only takes God a few seconds to show us our whole life. But in that process, God showed me the calling that I have on my life.

Knowing my calling and my purpose, has changed my ministry. I no longer see myself as a teacher or a preacher. I understand the value of knowing who I am called to be. And what my job is all about. But now I have to walk in that calling and not be afraid to do so.

So my thoughts today is this . . . Jesus said . . .

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.