“Readers Digest” Review
There are times before a big test, it’s helpful to do a review. You go back over the material to help it stick in memory before the test. I also find it helpful to review where I’ve been the past several years on my journey so that I can make better choices today. Sometimes a good review gives a good perspective. Sometimes, upon review, I realize I know the material pretty well. Moses gives the people of Israel a quick review of the law as they are about to go into the land promised by God. Check this out….
2 Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, “You have seen with your own eyes everything the Lord did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to his whole country— 3 all the great tests of strength, the miraculous signs, and the amazing wonders. 4 But to this day the Lord has not given you minds that understand, nor eyes that see, nor ears that hear! 5 For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. 6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but he provided for you so you would know that he is the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 29:2-6 NLT)
A quick review of my spiritual journey is in order. I grew up in a small church called Roley Christian Church in Casey Creek, KY. I accepted Jesus as Lord of my life and was baptized when I was in 3rd Grade. I can still see and hear some of the leaders of that church. I can still recall the singing, the Sunday School classes and the youth group memories. I went away to Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University) in Knoxville, TN. In my third year there, I began a weekend ministry at small church called Crab Orchard Christian Church near Crossville, TN. I discovered my love for youth ministry in that little church as I started meeting with the youth on Sunday nights before the evening service. I accepted an opportunity to become the youth minister at First Christian Church in Maryville, TN and I served there for two and a half years. I then got a call from Whitesburg Christian Church in Georgia to become their first full-time youth minister. I served there for five years and then moved to Carrollton, GA to become the youth minister at First Christian Church. I served there 12 years full time and 3 years part time. I remember like it was yesterday the day I told my children that I was resigning from ministry to become a REALTOR. I explained to them that my faith in the Lord hasn’t moved and that I would still be spending time in God’s Word each day. I would simply be earning a living doing something different. The Lord has blessed me with multiple opportunities to minister to people from all walks of life while I’ve been in Real Estate. I started out thinking this was a sales profession, but I’ve determined that is more of service profession.
My journey today involves remaining faithful in seeking the Lord each day. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving and being part of Southern Hills Christian Church, the Church at City Station. As I get older physically and spiritually, I realize that my faith journey wasn’t about me – it was about the Lord living inside me and through me. It will always be that. My heart belongs to Him and He can use me where and how He wishes.
Pressing On!
Dwayne