Spiritual Wisdom

Yesterday I met with my Pastor, Pastor Mike Ware. I met with him as I was seeking spiritual wisdom. I had never heard the term spiritual father until the last few weeks. God was holding back until I was ready to seek spiritual wisdom for my life. Because once I heard the term spiritual father, I heard it a number of times. Each time more profound than the previous.

So, I went to Pastor Mike to discuss with him about me joining the ministry. I shared with him the things that have transpired in my life and how God has put a calling on my heart. He shared with me his story and how he was called into the ministry. He was working on a prayer team at New Bethany church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He felt that God had put a calling on his life to join the ministry, but he went on for three years before God told him when. He told me he was on a mission trip in India and he was on the beach praying to God when God told him it was time to step out and join the ministry. So, when Pastor Mike returned to Baton Rouge he went to Pastor Larry Stockstill to let him know he wanted to get on board with ministry. Pastor Stockstill told him that there was actually a pastoral position available. Pastor Stockstill went on to tell him that Pastor Mike's name came up over dinner with his wife as they were talking about the vacancy in their church. Pastor Mike asked him when were they talking about this. Pastor Stockstill said it was the previous Thursday night. Well Pastor Mike did the time calculation and it was the exact same time when God spoke to him on the beach in India (Friday morning).

Wow.

I shared with Pastor Ware about how God had revealed His purpose for me. He told me that people come in his office all the time feeling that God was calling them into the minstry, but few followed through with it. But he said he could certainly tell that God was calling me. I felt a great assurance that he could sense God was using me. I went on to tell him that I felt a calling back to Birmingham. He told me that I should go back to Birmingham and survey the land and see if it feels right. He said if I am going to move back, "I have to know that I know that I know." He was speaking patience over me. That scary word that keeps coming up in my life.

I asked Pastor Mike if he could contact Pastor Chris Hodges (Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL) and he told me that he was flying to Birmingham next week. He said he would certainly ask Pastor Hodges what was happening with the Dream Center that they were building. I felt this was such a blessing that he would do this for me.

I am now praying that God gives me clarity of when and where He wants to use me for His glory. Thank you Pastor Mike.

be blessed,
your boy elbow