“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35 KJV).
If you want to be under the blessings of God, you’ve got to be willing to give up yourself. Be the one to give up your dreams and say “Yes Lord,” because you are a true worshiper.
Then realize that what you think you want is not really what you really want. I thought I wanted to be a high-flying attorney. Working for some other realm connected to that. I knew I was called to preach but, you know, I wouldn’t mind doing it on the weekends.
But I wanted a career as an attorney. I thought that’s what I wanted. But man, since I got in the will of God for my life, there’s nothing I’d rather do than what I’m doing now. But you couldn’t have told me that at the time.
I thought I didn’t want to be a pastor. I’d say, “Lord you’re going to make me go into the ministry then at least let me be a traveling evangelist, so that I can spend a few days loving and then leaving.” You don’t have to stay there and let them beat you up all the time.
I grew up in a church whereby my family was involved with the board. Being a kid and hanging around all the time I heard things I shouldn’t have heard. So when I was a teenager I said, “If that’s what church is, I’m not going to church.”
But my mamma said to me, “Whose bed do you sleep on? Whose food do you eat? Whose clothes do you wear? You’re going to church, because I said you’re going to church.” Well, okay, I wasn’t ready to go on the street yet.
So every Sunday I’d sit in the back of church and just pass notes to the girls. When I became of age my mother said, “You’re a man now. You choose what you want to do.”
By that time God had softened my heart. Finally accepted the call to the ministry, and found the things that led me to where I am today. And I have every dream I can think of, satisfaction, peace and joy. I love pastoring, and there is nothing else I’d rather do.
But you’ve got to be willing to give up your dreams and serve God all the way.
Scripture References: Mark 8:31-35; Mark 10:29-30
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).