CALLED

It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1

As a young teen I often thought that I would like to be a pastor. I was following the Academic program in high school, preparing to attend college. In my senior year I was attracted to a young lady named Ruth and my future changed. We dated for three years and four months as she finished high school and a year of business college. I had no desire to go away to study and be far from her. We got married, bought a house and became parents of two children. The desire to become a pastor had never left my heart. It was fifteen years after graduating from high school that I was accepted by Grace Seminary under an exception to the policy that an undergraduate degree was required, unless the man was at least 30 years old. I had a wife and two children to provide for! How would I do it? The Lord taught me some great things during those fifteen years. One lesson was that He could provide material needs. In January of 1976 I was thrown from my home-delivery milk truck as it skidded and tipped over on an icy road. I was trapped under the truck for an hour and a half. I was there for half an hour till a customer drove down that dead-end road and spotted the wreckage. During those 30 minutes I spent time talking to my Savior. I confessed sin. I prayed for my family - if I died, who would care for them? I prayed for rescue. I was hurting terribly. A fractured skull was the most serious injury. I was off work for 18 weeks that year. We had more disposable income during that time than we had when I was working 50-60 hours per week. That experience made me realize that God could provide our needs if I were to pursue a theological education. I finished in three years, went on to serve the Lord in Africa, and continue to serve as a pastor. God had much to teach me as I attended the “school of hard knocks,” but He never let me forget that He was calling me.

Les Vnasdale