Once Paul met Jesus, he received a clear mission: to open eyes and turn people toward the light. Having a “why” makes the “how” of suffering bearable. Paul could endure the prison cell because he knew he had a calling that transcended the walls around him. When we understand our purpose, our daily tasks, and even our struggles, they take on a new, eternal significance.
After that glorious night at Bob and Peggy’s home, Linda and I received a strong hope for our future. We joined the same church where Bob and Peggy were members. Together, we were part of a family of believers who loved God and grew in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
My first big test didn’t take long to arrive. The signup list for the Thanksgiving office party was posted. Normally, I was one of the first ones to sign up. After most of the people in the office had written their names on the list, the chief enlisted man in charge of the party approached me.
He was wondering why I hadn’t signed up. I explained to him that I had decided to follow Jesus and that I wouldn’t be attending any more office parties. He was very surprised by my response, but he knew my marriage was in trouble and offered strong support for my decision.
In the past, Bob Stewart never attended the monthly parties. Instead, he always volunteered to swap that night with the meteorologist on duty so they could go. I volunteered to work that night so the section leader could attend the party, and he was very happy.
This was the first big challenge I faced, but it wasn’t the last. It didn’t take long for me to discover that it was the difficult situations that enabled me to grow.