In June 1990, I applied for a job to become the next pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey. I didn’t describe it this way at the time, but between sending in my resumé and serving my first day on the job four months later, all I could hear was the word no! 

When I consider all the ways my relationship with this church has unfolded, I now understand that the principles I learned from Mr. Blind had been inculcated into my life without me ever realizing it. It is profound because I didn’t fully comprehend the lesson I was being exposed to until twenty years into my pastorate. 

Had I not said yes when the church seemed to be saying no to me, the life of my family, the growth and impact of the church, and the status of the community surrounding the church would all be different from what they are today. I am sure you also have had experiences like this in your life. Sometimes you aren’t aware of the lesson you needed to take away from the experience until days, months, or maybe even years after the situation happened.