I love a great God-story, and if it involves my family, I treasure it all the more.
I recall so vividly, as a child still living in my parent's home, my Dad was at a crossroads. While employed for a company that supplied for our needs, yet often seemed to bring more stress than blessings, he was approached to take a position as full-time Pastor for a church in need. Although not an ordained minister, this was my Dad's dream opportunity. Vastly different than his job at the time, he was not however foreign to this calling.
At least fifty out of the fifty-two weeks in a year, Dad was standing behind a pulpit in some church, somewhere, sharing the Gospel message. If a Pastor went on vacation or suddenly became ill, our phone would ring and Dad would be the "pulpit supply Pastor" for as long as needed. Although we did have a fellowship we called "home", most Sundays of the year found us as the "visiting family", always travelling with Dad, and often becoming part of the package as "special music". My sister and I would frequently play a piano duet or "sing and sign" (American Sign Language), a worship number.
Dad was overjoyed to receive this invitation, and the church extending this welcome was willing to have my father step into the position without a formal degree, supporting him as he continued the courses he had begun at Bible College. It seemed too good to be true. A long-time desire fulfilled. Leaving a good position at a job that brought so much pressure, in exchange for lesser income but more joy. As both my parents did with everything, Dad took it to the Lord in prayer.
When we ask the Lord to provide direction, how open are we to His leading? Sometimes we come before God with the answer we want so desperately on our hearts, that our minds miss any other path He might confirm. We keep reading God's Word until we find a verse that will validate the way we want to take. We must always come before the Lord with open hands, open will, open ears and obedient heart.
The morning God made His will for Dad clear is one I will never forget. Dad had been enjoying a time with the Lord as he did every morning, sitting in his big, blue chair. He was closing in on the final verses of his Bible reading that day when, in the King James Version dad read Ezekiel 22:30, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land...but I found none."
Do you see it? Have you felt it? When you are looking for the Lord to speak specific direction and then suddenly, and often unexpectedly, His words jump off the page so vividly, you are almost blinded by the light they provide. What follows is an unspeakable joy. Even if the guidance takes the path you had least wanted, to know that God wants you there surpasses any other desire. Dad was to remain at his employment and continue in his "gap-filling" ministry. He had no more doubt. He could respond with the assurance of knowing where the Lord wanted him and continue with an awakened passion in a position that had become tiresome and tedious. This confirmed vocation at his current job would continue to financially provide for his weekend ministry, as Dad always refused any remuneration offered. His Sunday speaking was His gift to the Lord.
And, as only God can write really great God-stories. The following morning my Dad went to his company office and a broken, searching soul wandered in. Right there, in the very place he longed to leave, he had the honour of guiding a co-worker to respond to Christ's invitation of salvation. It was not time to resign yet. His life was being used to share the message of the cross every day of the week. The cross that bridged the gap between our sin and our Saviour. Yes, Dad was following in the steps of his Heavenly Father. They were both in the gap filling business.
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