Closed Door of Present Job
Have you ever been told
that you are no longer needed? I have. I used to work in the
entertainment industry at a theme park. I got a late start -
I was almost 32 - when I entered the theme park business,
and I have never been the typical stereotype of a theme park
performer. I am just under 6 feet tall, and weigh nearly 300
pounds. My strengths have always been my singing voice,
stage presence, and the ability to dance well for a big man.
That's why they hired me. I was very comfortable in my job.
I worked for the same park for ten years. I didn't have to
travel and be away from my family. I got to sing almost
every day - all great blessings from the Lord! I wanted to
stay there until I retired. But God had other plans for my
life and ministry.
In March of 2001 the vice-president of the entertainment
division came to me and said that because of my age (now 42)
and weight I was no longer suitable to work in their
production shows. They offered me another job for six
months, but that did not guarantee me year-round work. I was
devastated at first. I have a wife and 3 small children, and
my wife stopped working after we had our second child. We
would be without income and without insurance! But we were
not without hope! I knew that if God closed the door on my
present job that He would open up an even better opportunity
for me! After the initial shock wore off, we began to
experience that "peace that passes all understanding". What
did God have in store? We did not know, but we began to seek
His face through prayer, the Scriptures, and fasting.
God showed us first that we were to leave the theme park
altogether. What I thought would be the hardest decision was
by far the easiest. God made it clear to us that He had
prepared us for another work, and that work would begin
soon. But what could it be? When it became known that I was
no longer working for this theme park, churches in our area
began to contact me. For years I had ministered through song
and testimony in churches when I was not working at the
theme park. Some of these churches began seek after me to be
their minister of music. But I never had a peace about it
from the Holy Spirit. I had been an interim music minister
and had lead worship many times at my own church, but never
felt a calling from God to minister to a specific, local
church body. But it was tempting, because I would have a
steady income and insurance for my family, and it was
something I could start right away. How many times are all
of us tempted by what is good, when God's best is still
available? But my wife and I prayed specifically that we
would not miss God's best for our lives - we claimed nothing
less! And God answered our prayer.
In our process of seeking God's best, we asked God to
provide us with wise counsel. My pastor and worship leader
were two of the men from whom I sought wisdom, and they
suggested expanding my part-time singing ministry to
full-time, with our church's help and support. My wife and I
continued fasting and praying, and the Lord brought the
answer on a Saturday, 3 weeks after we had decided to leave
the theme park. He revealed to us that we were to begin a
faith ministry, singing and ministering in churches. The
vision God gave us began in the United States, but would
expand to all over the world?
We began ministering in April of 2001. At that time we had
only 4 bookings, no sound equipment, and a vehicle that was
not suitable for extensive travel. Since then God has
miraculously provided bookings, an excellent sound system,
and a conversion van perfect for our travel needs. We have
traveled through 25 states, to one province of Canada, and
to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua we were part of a crusade that
saw over 1800 people come to a saving knowledge of our Lord,
Jesus Christ! And all because we were willing to follow God,
step out in faith, and trust Him to work in and through our
lives for the glory of His kingdom.
My wife, the children, and I have begun an exciting
adventure. As with any step of faith, it has wondrous
moments of both excitement and fear. God says His grace is
sufficient, and we trust fully in Him! The chorus of a song
I heard recently puts it best:
"I know your doubt is deep and wide, My will is on the other
side I know how to get there from here; Hold my hand and
I'll give you faith, And freedom from the fear you face Step
out, and the bridge will appear!"
That song has really ministered to us, because that's where
we are now living! I believe God is waiting to bless His
people when they follow Him in faith. Each time we've been
obedient to step out the "bridge" has appeared and He has
upheld us with His mighty hand.
That is my encouragement to you. Has God closed the door on
your present job? He'll open another. Has He taken you from
your "comfort zone"? Good. Get used to it. Out of our hands
and into His is the place of true blessing for the believer.
Has God been calling you to His best, and have you settled
for something "good" that allows you to stay in that
"comfort zone" and not have to fully depend on Him? Obey now
- don't wait! Step out in faith, and watch as God begins to
bless you over and over again, and bring glory to Himself
and harvest for His kingdom!
singing for the audience of one Tom Hacker (col 3:12-17)
Tom Hacker ministries p. weeministries@juno.com (Received on Tuesday March 5, 2002)
