Sept. 3, marked the anniversary of my first sermon in my home church on Sunday, Sept. 3, 1939. In observance of that personal anniversary, as a small insight for you, my readers, and as a solemn reminder to me, I would like to share an article I wrote for the Big Spring Herald in 1958 as the first of a series of articles by local church pastors on “Why I Became a Minister.”
“I was made a minister by the grace of God. There was no Damascus Road with a light shining round about me from heaven. There was no burning bush with a voice commanding, ‘Put off your shoes.’
“There was no seraphim crying one to another, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ That God has called others in such dramatic fashion I do not question, but his call came to me in a far less spectacular way.
“I was made a minister by my mother and father, though I dare say it was the last thing they dreamed of my being. I was made a minister by the example of their lives; by their love and devotion to God; by our family worship at the close of each day; by their love and their prayers which have followed me. I was made a minister by parents who took me to Sunday school and church and led me to love the house of God next to my own home.
“I was made a minister at the feet of a Sunday school teacher, a teacher who caused the Old Testament prophets, the Master of men, and the Apostle Paul to live again for me. After all these years I can still see a face and hear a voice which gave witness to the consecrated life of one who loved God and desired more than anything to share it with those to be the men and women of tomorrow.
“I was made a minister by my own minister whose life was a demonstration of what God can do with a consecrated man. In his efforts I saw the power of God to transform and change the lives of men.
“I was made a minister by those who listened to my first sermons and offered encouragement, by countless people who have touched my life and helped in so many ways, people, I know now, who were used by God to bring help in time of need.
“I was made a minister by the multitudes unfed, gaunt, starving for the Living Bread. Amidst the crying needs of life, I have come to know that the supreme need of every life, and the life of the world, is God, revealed to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
“I was made a minister, and how do I feel about it? I am persuaded that if my life were to be lived a thousand times, that along the way there would come the call. Just as before, there would be ‘many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without,’ but at last the surrender—‘My life is little to offer; my talents are few, and these are small; but if I am needed, if I can serve; ‘Here am I, Lord, send me!’”
Clyde Nichols is a retired minister, having served First Christian Church in Temple for 27 years as senior minister. He is the author of three books of devotionals and writes a religious column for several Texas newspapers, including The Reporter.
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