Ego-buster or God’s Selection Process?

The pastor was relieved that I agreed to preach in his absence because he said he had been turned down by seven others before asking me. Ordinarily that would be classified as an ego-buster. I’m not sure I’ve ever been the eighth choice before. However I was encouraged by the reminder that David’s seven brothers passed before Samuel and the Lord said “No” to each one. When the eighth son of Jesse was brought before Samuel, “The Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is the one’” (1 Sam. 16:12). The Lord’s choice was number eight, David. Nor was this the first time I had not be the first choice. I have held five different full-time ministry positions (not counting Interim Pastorates). I know for a fact that I was not the first choice in three of them. So next time you are not the first choice by someone or for some assignment or position, be encouraged. While you may not be the first choice on the human level, you may be God’s choice.

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for missionaries as they use the Easter season to communicate the saving message of Jesus Christ.
• Continue to pray for relief work in Haiti and Chile.
• Continue to pray for churches of metro Vancouver as they follow up o¬n the Winter Olympics and Paralympics ministries.