In my Sunday School Class, at Shandon Baptist Church, my teacher’s main text was from Joshua 23:3.
And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you. (Joshua 23:3 ESV)
He wanted us to look back in our lives to see “all that the Lord has done” for OUR sake. And he gave us all a slip of paper with five blanks in which to list five things and this instruction:
When I reflect on my life, I see the following ways in which God was actively at work.
Here are my five things—of course, there are many more but these are the first five that I thought of—so I consider them pretty significant:
1. Joining ROTC. When I was at Lander, I felt compelled to be in ROTC. I’m not sure that I would have ever been in an Army Chaplain, if I hadn’t done this—and my life went down a different road.
2. Joining First Baptist North Spartanburg. This wonderful church was 50 minutes away from my home in Laurens. There are many reason why I went there—and many ways this experience changed my life. But it was there I met Monica—a girl from the opposite side of the state, whom I would marry. I would have never met her any other way.
3. Being in VBS at a Neighborhood Church to accept Christ. When my parents moved to South Carolina from Hawaii with the Army, they found a home in Laurens. There was a neighborhood church where I could ride my bicycle each summer for Vacation Bible School (VBS). It was at this VBS that I accepted Christ in my life. It was the only VBS I remember ever going to. My church, where Daddy was Minister of Music at the time, was 30 minutes away from my home.
4. Having a new radio station (WLFJ) that played Chuck Swindoll messages when I was hearing the call to the ministry. When I was in Junior High, God was dealing with me about ministry. I remember a new radio station, that would play just Christian music and preaching, just went on the air. At night, I would listen to Chuck Swindoll and his teaching—it was during this time that I woke up one day and declared—"I’m going to be a preacher!” This radio station came into my life during a pivotal time. I would hear the call somewhere—if they had not been broadcasting—but it was through the daily preaching that gave me the foundation of theology that keeps me centered today.
5. Bringing me home to Laurens at the time I met Monica. I went to the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. After graduation, I came home—I didn’t have a job right away—and met Monica at church. Again the timing was critical! What a blessing to be in God’s hand!
My Sunday School teacher then made his point: Seeing all of this in my life…the change is simple:
“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness…as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:14-15 ESV)