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Writing the Scriptures

Hi folks

 


 

Today's passage for our February Challenge is two very important verses to me personally.  On the night of the interviews for selection for training for ordination, I was deeply troubled.  Not that I didn't want to be ordained - quite the opposite!  

I had travelled to Dublin for a series of interviews, held over a long weekend, to be selected for training for the Non-Stipendary Ministry, which would allow me to continue the work I had as a Computer Consultant, and be ordained to help out in parishes within the Diocese of Connor.  I had a very successful business in Lisburn/Belfast and the surrounding areas - and could afford to actually turn work down to suit my schedule.

During the process, I was more and more convicted in my spirit that God was directing me to train for full-time ministry - which would mean having to sacrifice my business and income, and put a tremendous pressure on my wife and very young family (Naomi was 9, Ben was 3).  I would have to live in Dublin at the Theological College during the week, and be home at weekends; leaving Kim to continue to work part-time, look after the family and the house, and all on a greatly reduced income to the house.

That was probably the first night that I had stayed up all night in prayer and conversation with God.  These were in the "dark ages" when you couldn't phone home on your mobile - unless you were prepared to spend £5 per minute!  While I prayed, I felt God lay these verses on my heart - Proverbs 3: 5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I spent the next day (Sunday) deep in prayer.  On the journey home to Lisburn, my friend Colin, remarked that I was being very quiet.  He didn't push me for an explanation, and allowed me to continue until we got home.  As I watched him drive off towards his home in Carrickfergus, I told Kim that I had something very important to tell her before I could start to tell her about the interview process.  She informed me that before I would tell her anything, she had something very important and urgent to tell me - and she shocked me by telling me that in her prayers the previous evening, God had told her to be prepared for a long journey, I was leaving my job to study full-time!

I shouldn't have been concerned - God told me he would "direct my paths", and true to his word, he is still directing us today!  What a blessed few verses, and they started my journey from Lisburn in 2006 to Brookeborough in 2021 - and I'll be trusting him for directoins in the future!

Regards

Johnny

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