it's a god thing

Hansel and Gretel.

“Oh look, Gretel. A house. Such a p-p-p-retty l-l-l-ittle house.”

That’s when it all began. In a stupid 4th grade play, Hansel and Gretel.

My life was never the same as stuttering became a way of life. Playing Hansel in front of a large crowd was too much for me. Thinking about the memory makes me shudder to this day.

My speech impediment impacted every area of my life, making an introverted boy even more introverted. Speaking up in class was out of the question, and asking a girl out? Well, it wasn’t going to happen. Just introducing myself to others was traumatic, knowing that it was going to come out in staccato and other kids would laugh at me.

And yet, God apparently had plans for me. This shy, stuttering 10-year-old would, at the age of 49, become a full-time preacher.

How does that happen? The only explanation that makes sense is it’s a God thing.

The first order of business was getting me some confidence. He took care of that with some speech therapy in college.

Check.

The next order of business was convincing me to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He sent me the perfect witness, a good friend with an inoperable brain tumor and an amazing attitude.

Check.

After that He needed to get me to actually preach the Gospel to a large group of people. That happened as an elder who had no choice but to fill in at the last minute for a sick preacher.

Check.

His call now firmly on the heart, the Lord wanted to get me some experience. He made that happen through supply preaching for a local Bible college, followed by two part-time ministries.

Check.

And then, finally, He had to get me to take the big step into seminary and full-time ministry. No problem. The Lord made sure my secular job was eliminated at the same time when a church on the south side of Indianapolis was looking for a new pastor.

Check.

Why is all this relevant? Because there are two things that are burning in my heart to share with you:

1. God is utterly amazing, a worker of miracles. If He can take a shy, stuttering boy and turn him into a pastor, He can do anything as far as I’m concerned.

2. God has a plan for our lives. He has a plan for my life and I believe He has a plan for your life as well.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’" declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”1

Think about it: God has plans for you and has the wherewithal to pull it off. While you may not be called to preach like I am, I believe the Lord does have something in mind for you (see Romans 12:1-8).

So what has God put on your heart?

What do you want to do for Him and His people but seems impossible from a human perspective?

Maybe, just maybe, that’s what He’s calling you to do. Maybe, just maybe, that’s precisely what He has planned for you.

And if doubts creep in during your journey remember Hansel, the stuttering 10-year-old who, against all the odds, eventually became a preacher at the age of 49.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."2

1 Jer 29:11
2 Eph 3:20-21