The Preacher's Son - Juliette Duncan Page 0,31

I would have made some kind of excuse. But eventually, the call became too strong and I had to step out, not knowing where this path would lead to.

“Honestly? I still don’t know where it might lead. But here I am, imperfect and stubborn, but seeking to do what He wants.”

When a few ‘Hallelujahs’ sounded from the congregation, I paused and briefly met Penny’s gaze, unsure of what I would find there. Her eyes were shining with pride, and I smiled at her as a deep sense of peace settled over me.

Any last trace of nerves vanished and I was surprised to discover that I was enjoying myself. More than that, I felt I was doing what I had always been meant to do. And I knew that the message I was giving voice to was as much for myself as for anyone else in the room. “Isaiah told us, many years before Christ and before John,” I continued, “that everything begins in the wilderness. Our journey of faith begins when we have the courage to step out, often without knowing where the path might lead. Perhaps even without a path at all.

“Whether it be traditional missionary service or any other commitment to the Lord, we are all called to this as followers of Jesus. This is what it means to follow Him. Sometimes this means leaving behind the comforts of the world, or going against what is expected of us by our culture and families.

“Those first disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus before they fully understood who He was. They simply knew that when He called, they had to answer. Just like John the Baptist did. He was an unexpected and much prayed for child, and his father was a prominent priest. Can you imagine how his parents must have reacted when he announced he was donning camel's hair and absconding to the wilderness? I imagine that would have caused some fuss, don’t you?” A ripple of warm laughter drifted around the chapel.

My next words were ones I hadn’t planned to include, yet they flowed out as if I’d rehearsed them. “Many years ago, I thought my path was laid out for me—a path in the church, in fact. My father’s church, to be exact. But it wasn’t my calling. Instead, God showed me a different path, one that led me to a blessed and abundant life, but it meant going against the rules I thought had been set out for my life. Now, God has called me into unknown places yet again, and I have to be honest, it’s unsettling and even a little frightening. Do I really want to disrupt the comfortable and undeniably privileged life I have?” My gaze swung to Penny as I spoke. Her gaze was fixed on mine but her eyes were unreadable and I was unable to discern what she was feeling or thinking, but I had to continue.

“When I pledged to follow Jesus, I didn’t pledge to only follow Him when it was safe, or when the path was already laid out. I’m sure we all want that, but we’re called to simply trust and follow. We can only hope that doesn’t involve camel hair and locusts.”

There was another ripple of laughter and I felt the warmth coming from the congregation. My words were reaching them and that made me glad. When the laughter stopped, my expression grew more serious and my gaze drifted from one face to the next as I felt the connection between us all and the presence of the Spirit in the room.

“Often these journeys begin in the wilderness,” I said quietly. “Often we can’t see what path we should take and we wander aimlessly until we trust God to show us the direction He wants us to go in. Sometimes we simply have to step out in faith. I invite you all to ask yourselves, as I am, whether God is asking you to step out in faith and simply trust Him. Will you pray with me?”

I bowed my head and the congregation followed suit. Taking a slow breath, I began in a quiet and reverent voice. “Lord God, we ask You to open our ears to hear Your calling, to open our hearts that we may follow You. Shape and mould us that we may help others find their way through the wilderness to the One who loves them without measure. Free us from the fear and doubt that keeps us from stepping out in