We Have Left Everything

When I graduated from college, I went to work for Kelly Springfield Tire Company. I was a chemist and had a good job, but I wasn’t happy. One day my pastor told me that God was calling me into the ministry. I thanked him and assured him that was not my calling. I worked there three years, and it didn’t get any better. One night I knelt at the altar rail in the funeral home where I lived and worked at night and on weekends. I asked God what He had in store for me.

I told God I would go to Duke and get my divinity degree, but I had already checked, and the deadline had passed. I applied anyway and was accepted. This was God’s way of directing my life. Today I have served as a pastor for 45 years and have now been with the United Methodist Foundation for five more years. I continue to preach and work with churches, and I still thank God for directing me when I knelt at that funeral home altar.

Mark 10:17-25 tells the story of Jesus counseling the rich young ruler to give up his riches and follow Him. In verse 28 Peter said, “We have left everything to follow you!” In verse 30, Jesus assured Peter that God would give those who follow Him “a hundred times as much in this present age” and eternal life. Verse 31 says, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

My life has been blessed ever since I gave my life to Jesus. We are called daily to surrender our lives to Christ and to obey His call to follow Him. Not everyone is called to enter the ministry, but we are all called! As we follow Christ, Jesus will inspire us to love others and put their needs above our own. Have you surrendered your life to Christ?!

Prayer – Jesus, help me surrender my all for You today. Help me serve those around me in your Holy Name! Amen.

Mark 10:28 – Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Kwan Fung & Sebbi Strauch, courtesy of Unsplash