This week marks my 50th spiritual birthday. On December 14, 1972, I heard the good news of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and was born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3). I became a follower of the Master and by his grace I’ve never looked back.
God has shown himself faithful to keep his exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:3-4) to me over these five decades in more ways than I can possibly recount in this post, but these few stand out in my reflections.
One, his faithfulness to work all things together for my good (Romans 8:28-31). Oh how I love the doctrine of God’s sovereignty! I say it often. “God wastes nothing.” The hardest providences in my experience God has used to grow me in Christ-likeness—I still have so far to go!—and to make me more useful in his service.
Two, his faithfulness to transform my character ever so patiently over time (2 Corinthians 3:18). I’ve known multiple occasions of Holy Spirit conviction about specific besetting sins which have needed killing with his help (Colossians 3:5). Swearing, lust, pride, anger, fear of man, immoderate appetite, worry and more have all reared their ugly heads along the way. In every case, no promise has served my sanctification better than Romans 8:32. He has already done the more difficult thing in not sparing his Son. How shall he not do the lesser thing of freeing me from enslavement to my flesh?
Three, his faithfulness in sustaining me through trial and loss (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalm 34:19a). I have suffered the trauma of spiritual abuse. I have endured the effects of debilitating diseases and painful procedures—chronic fatigue, tongue cancer, radiation/chemo, jaw reconstruction, nerve damage, and impaired swallowing. I have walked through the valley of the shadow twice with the death of Josh, my son, and Nancy, my first wife. I have said it often. “Grief is great; grace is greater.” He has helped me in loss not to sin with my lips (Job 2:10). Though he has given and taken away, I still say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:20-22). I have known the all-sufficiency of his grace.
Four, his faithfulness in restoring my fortunes (Job 42:10). I’ve known the loss of churches to serve and the gain of others to shepherd—some most surprising. I’ve known the loss of favor as a pastor—at times deservedly so—with some and the gain of it with others—always a gift of grace. I’ve known the loss of a physical son and the gain of not a few spiritual sons and mentees through my ministry. I’ve known the loss of my first rockstar wife, Nancy, the healer, and the gain of a second all-star, Jan, the encourager. The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord delivers out of them all (Psalm 34:19b).
Five, his faithfulness in holding me fast every step of the way (Jude 24-25). This is best of all. I am a kept believer. He who is able to keep me from stumbling has done so for 18,250 days! I am counting on him to do the same for the rest of my days when he will present me blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.
Soli Deo Gloria!
