In the mid 1970’s, I was doing pretty well in my career in the NatWest bank, even though I really didn’t like the job. I DID like the salary, the ridiculously subsidised mortgage (2 1/2% in an era when normal mortgages were 14%+ -hard to believe today, huh?).
18th January 1979: another of my ‘birthdays!’ What birthday is this one? Well, I’d ‘celebrated’ 9+ years with one of the (then) ‘big four’ banks, and after fighting God for 5 years as he wanted me to leave, and I didn’t. God wanted me in full-time ministry, which I wanted, but was terrified of losing salary and perks….
BUT…
1 January 1979, I began in full-time ministry. God had said very clearly ‘trust me for your home, your security, and your income’. Sounds easy in the moment. A week/month/year later, it’s not quite so easy!
The NatWest paid salaries on the 18th of the month, so the 18th of this month was my last ever payday, last salary. So I’m 39 today! 39 years of proving that God is faithful at keeping his promises: he’s faithful at providing: he’s faithful in everything.
39 years living not knowing, many times, where the necessary money is coming from…. in those 39 years, he’s housed me and my (then) family, he’s taken me to 111 countries, including Romania 129 times, Colombia 89 times, USA 100+ times, Mexico 30+ times, Australia 20+ times…and so many others – all on nothing!!
Thank you, Lord, that every promise you’ve made is yes and amen through Christ Jesus (Col 1:20), and this unknown, unqualified, unskilled man has seen your provision for 39 years.I guess it makes it my ruby wedding to God’s promises next year? 🙂
