By Patricia Phillips

The year was 1966, and I thought my world was just about perfect. Active in our local church, my husband and I were serving the Lord. Father God was meeting all of our spiritual needs through a loving pastor, and my husband’s job provided for our material needs. We were pursuing the American dream. As an official with the Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas City, my husband generated a good income. We had a beautiful home, three wonderful kids, two cars, and a dog. God was blessing, guiding, and protecting us. What more could we ask for? Everything was great!

All of a sudden, my world came crashing down. My husband shocked me when he declared that God wanted him to pursue a calling in pastoral ministry. I thought that idea was impossible. How could we make such a transition at our age, with our family responsibilities, and still be responsible stewards? Our children needed educations. Our oldest son was a junior in high school, our daughter a freshman, and the youngest son in the fourth grade. How could we make it if my husband’s income was cut off and the expenses increased due to his ministerial training? God had a plan. He began to show my husband how we could liquidate our assets and invest in the kingdom of God.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6:33).

I still did not think that I had been called into the ministry and proceeded to express my intentions of how things were going to be—not only to my husband and my pastor but also to God. I was not going to give up my lifestyle. Out of my fears and insecurities came rebellion—in a big way. I stated that I would not allow my husband to quit his job and sell my house, some of my furniture, and my car. My resistance went on for about six months. My pastor tried to guide me with loving godly wisdom, but I was not buying any of it. I wanted peace of mind and thought the only way to obtain it was to get my own way. My pastor kept telling me that God was sovereign, and submission to His will in this calling would bring peace.

I thought no one was paying any attention to me! Not my husband, not my pastor, and certainly not God! One day, out of frustration and guilt, I began to be very emotional in my time with the Lord. I thought I was praying, when in reality I was just complaining and trying to be in charge. In His mercy, God showed me that my fear and rebellion were causing my lack of peace. That still small voice within spoke the same words my pastor had been speaking, “Peace and faith will come when you lay down your will and submit to God’s will.” I repented, and the peace came. I even had faith about the size of a mustard seed!

Every day since that time I have tried to listen to God’s voice and obey. Occasionally when fears have surfaced, I have rehearsed these words:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

In the process of time, God has shown me what I knew in part about my calling. God called me at the same time He called my husband, and He confirmed my calling with this scripture verse:

You are My servant,

I have chosen you and have not cast you away;

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Is. 41:9b-10).

My husband told me that God had shown him that I was called, and he had asked the Lord to confirm to me my calling. Quoting this scripture, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24), he said that because God is omniscient, He knew we were a package deal. One couldn’t be called without the other.

God continues to confirm my calling to people who receive my ministry. The eldership of Abundant Life Ministries recognized my calling and ordained me in 1985. My roles as wife, mother, secretary, and homemaker have trained me for my pastoral calling. My theological and doctrinal training have come through home study under the discipleship of Abundant Life Ministries. I have learned that the Holy Spirit anoints one for ministry, and people anoint that person by receiving her/his ministry.

I now know that all good things come from God. What I thought to be a bad thing has turned out to be a very positive and fulfilling life of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, as I follow His instructions in my life.