But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.      -- Genesis 50: 20

A Painful Experience

At 2.25 p.m. I walked into the Human Resources Department located on the 17th floor of the Standard Life building. It was 24 days since I had been sent home on leave of absence. After a short wait I was invited into a small conference room and was somewhat surprised to see not only Mr.R but also my manager sitting at a round table.

• Effective today you are being laid off from the company for technical reasons !" said the manager.
• Could you cite a case where I have been technically incompetent?" I replied . The manager did not answer.
• You are being laid off without cause!" continued Mr.R.
• Which reason are you laying me off for?" I inquired.
• It doesn't matter which reason, you are being laid off!" retorted Mr.R.

I looked outside at the adjacent office buildings and the grey sky in the background and thought I cannot do much now - the decision to fire me has been made. The above incident occurred on March 3, 1988 and undoubtedly was one of the most major milestones in my work career.

I could have gone back into another well - paid secular job and I had a major choice to make!

You may think that it is not too hard a decision to make but you see I had spent all my life training for that type of work ... training at schools, universities and gained invaluable industrial experience. I had spent countless hours getting into that type of position and shortly after this incident the Lord at the time was saying get rid of your engineering books, your technical papers, your computer programs, etc. What a decision to make!

I remember during this time my pastor coming to see me and I always remember a snippet of our conversation. He said, " There is only one person who can help you!". My reply was, " Who is that? " His answer was four words, " The Lord Jesus Christ."

How true and it is the same for you if you faced with any difficult decision ... the question is what is the Lord Himself saying to you!

After about a year of transition I could have still probably gone back into secular work but because I believed the Lord was leading me into " full time " ministry I chose to follow Him in that particular path.

I have heard it said God uses painful experiences to prepare you most for ministry. God never wastes a hurt!