Thirteen

On Sunday, March 4, 2007, I stepped behind the sacred desk at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia to preach for the first time. I do not remember a lot about the day, honestly. I know that I was very nervous and yet relieved that the time of waiting and preparation was finally over. The moment had come for me to walk into my assignment, to answer God’s call. The room was filled both with those who loved and supported me and with those who knew very little about me. Some people had witnessed my struggle. Many of my family and close friends had prayed for that day for years. Others barely knew me. They had not heard my story, nor were they aware of all it had taken for me to be standing before them. Nevertheless, all of us together, made history that Sunday afternoon.

Looking back, I freely admit that I had no idea where my life would go after becoming a licensed preacher. I could never have planned, prayed for, or predicted the places that ministry has taken me. I have met so many people in these thirteen years. I have preached at more churches than I can count or even remember. Some sermons have been good. Others stellar. Many forgettable and unremarkable. That is the call – to preach in season and out of season, to do the work of an evangelist, to be faithful. This, I have done. I have taken my gifts and the call of God upon my life very seriously, even while I have learned not to take myself too seriously at all. These years have been challenging. They have changed me. I have laughed a lot and cried more times than I would care to admit. Ministry is more than a notion and pastoring is another story altogether. And yet, God remains faithful.

Today, I am grateful not only that God chose me, but that God is yet choosing me to preach the Gospel. I am humbled to have such a cadre of family, friends, mentors, supporters, and prayer warriors in my life. I am appreciative of the call. I am invigorated by the journey. And, I am preaching tonight! God is indeed gracious, and I am more thankful than I could ever fully express.