"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.......You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart."
(from the Bible -- Jeremiah ch.29, verse 11-13)

 T  H  E      C  A  L  L        

There was a call.....a restlesness.....                              
                                        that stirred within my heart ---
A yearning for a holy path that summoned me apart;  
An agonizing, nagging call that would not go away ---  
Day after day, each passing hour, it called me to obey!

             It penetrated restless nights, intruding in my dreams ---
             It permeated;  saturated;  mocking self-willed schemes.
             It made the man I used-to-be a man of discontent ---     
             A man who'd not escape the call no matter where he went!

            At times the call was quieter, and gently pushed aside ---
            Yet still it pulled and beckoned me                                      
                                                       and would not be denied.  
            When God ordained that narrow road                                 
                                                            and bid me walk thereon,
            I dared not take a lesser way,                                               
                                                       though all the world press on!

            Come friend or foe to question                                              
                                                       whether God, or Self, impelled,
            I'd not elude the mandate of the Spirit who indwelled.     
            There came that moment of the soul                                   
                                                         when time itself stood still --- 
            Surrendering,  I triumphed,  in submission to His will!

                          The call that weighed so heavily                 
                                                    and buffeted with strife ---

                          Transformed by God in victory ---          
                                                     became Abundant Life!   
 
                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                     
I witnessed this struggle as the man, pursued by God, finally took 
   the step of faith that was asked of him, sold the home he had built 
 for himself and his family, and along with his wife and 2 little
sons,  went off to a Bible College to prepare.     
          He now serves as a Pastor, preaching as one
                        inspired by the Lord God he worships.                           

  "I have come that you might have Life
and that you might have it more abundantly!"
 (Jesus Christ)