Breathless Haste

On the way, I was listening to a sermon on a cassette tape from this megachurch in my car. As I sat in the parking lot, John Ortberg described the parable of the hidden treasure: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matt. 13:44)

  Ortberg said, “This is the chance of a lifetime—the surrender of a lesser, dying futile self for a greater eternal one, the person God planned for you to be.”

At that moment, I felt God’s presence, certain that those words I heard while sitting in a dark parking lot were meant just for me. In joy, I was leaving my old life behind for something of much greater value, following His calling on my life, and really becoming the man I was created to be. I now knew this was my path, but I still had no idea where it would lead. I was in an interim position, and because I had not been to seminary, remaining in that role at First Presbyterian was not an option.

That became even clearer on January 5, 2003. That morning I served Communion to Neale for the first time, which was a special experience, as her story was such a crucial part of God’s leading in my life. After that service, the executive pastor shared that the search committee had found a candidate for my role, and it was on the fast track. I appreciated the heads-up but that news made me sad. I had enjoyed those months of church work. It seemed to fit me like a glove, and it was comfortable. In retrospect, it was too comfortable. I went home and told Rebecca that I sensed that the easy part of this journey was coming to an end.