When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I knew that God wanted me to be in ministry, He had made it very clear that He wanted me to be in people's lives to answer their questions about Him. That process was not limited to the audience on either side of the great chasm of being a believer versus not being a believer (lost in Jesus' illustrative language). He called me to interpret life to all kinds of people. As a kid in high school He put parents of my friends in my path who would ask me for advice about how to raise their kid. Mere acquaintances would ask me advice about those irreversible life choices for which I had no experience. Then God would show up with the answer - so often that I developed the habit of praying inside my head, "God, please answer this question, because I have no clue!" And He did. Not a "thus saith the Lord" audible way, but rather by popping an brand new idea into my head. Not once or twice, but over and over again. So, I realized that He wanted me to live this way. (This is why I thought I was supposed to be in ministry in a position to which people would come to get an idea from God and therefore got a psychology degree.)
Well, every turn in the decision path was blocked and following Him led me to be a pediatric intensive care doctor. How in the world??? I was always baffled by that. So, looking around at what I was doing with my life, knowing that I was called to spread the Gospel and like any doctor, I figured I was targeting my patients . . . who were all small children or unconscious?????
OK, then it must be the families. But they were in such a mental mindset of shock that they could not process whether their child, my patient, was going to live or die - literally.
"So, God, who is it with whom I am to share Your story?" was on my heart, Then I realized through many steps that the answer was plain. Who was it that kept asking those tough life questions about, "Why this child?" "Why is it always the kindest parents that lose a child to tragedy?" "Why does God allow such a horrible person to beat a child to death?"
The answer was clear. I had a position that put me into the lives of highly trained, intelligent health care workers, and He gave me a knack for the language that only those professionals inside critical care speak. I was to share the Gospel with nurses, doctors, and others in health care - A group with thick insulation to other communication routes due to their so-called scientific education.
Almost every time I have gone on a mission trip the question of "Why am I here?" is on the hearts of many - Firemen, doctors, nurses, therapists. Then in the midst of teaching CPR or how to tie a knot, or drinking a beer after a long day God will answer. A life will connect with another and a platform for the Gospel appears. Not forced or contrived, but like none any man could plan. And in that moment a connect with the Gospel occurs and God takes another life to a new level with Him. A miracle indeed.
It happened today when a first-time fire/rescue guy taught an Albanian fireman a knot. And both were changed forever. A story that only came out after work over a beer.
That is why we spend thousands of our own dollars and travel halfway around the world to see God change lives. The same reason God put me in intensive care, and not into counseling.
So, "as you go ... make disciples."
Your Willing Servant
