Many are the plans…
Len on May 8th 2008
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV):
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
God’s sovereign plan often amazes me, especially when the plans that we make for ourselves are overruled and we are sent on a different path than the one we might choose for ourselves.
After my first year of college, I decided to persue a degree in Theology, and transferred to Davis College. When I arrived I made a number of new friends, many of who wanted to serve as pastors, missionaries, and in other ministry positions. Two of the guys who desired to be pastors are still dear friends of mine.
When I arrived at Davis, I had absolutely no desire to be a pastor. I wanted to know more about my newfound faith, as I had only been a Christian for a year, but occupational ministry was not on my radar. I thought it might be good to get an undergrad degree at Davis, and then go on for a masters in counseling or political science, with the goal of serving as a counselor or professor.
During that first (sophomore) year I felt God calling me to the pastorate. I did a pastoral internship at North Country Fellowship in the summer of 2003, and haven’t looked back. I’m now serving bi-occupationally as a Pastor/Elder at North Country Fellowship, and would like to go full time at some point in the future, Lord willing.
You know what happened to my two close friends who wanted to be pastors? One discerned that he wasn’t called to be a pastor, but was called to counsel professionally. He is now working to finish a masters degree in marriage and family therapy. The other guy is currently serving as a Youth Pastor, but is working on his MDiv, with the ultimate goal of earning a PhD and a professorship.
Funny how we all sort of swapped paths a bit, eh?
Hey Len,
I found your blog following a link from somewhere else. I don’t even remember, it was a couple weeks ago and I added you to my bookmarks.
Anyway…
I spent three years after HS working on a ranch before going to college to get a degree in sound technology, and one in business. I then started my own production company. I got involved in the local PCA church a few years ago and quickly found myself working as an unpaid, part-time youth pastor. Now I’m an elder (still serve as youth pastor), just had my first child, and I’m praying about starting work on a Master of Arts in Theology.
Interesting where the Lord leads, when we’re willing to follow.
It is interesting, isn’t it? Who would have ever imagined? But that is, as they say, the way the cookie crumbles.