In 2013, I received this beautiful email from Oom Jannie de Beer:

Years ago, I received the calling to enter the ministry. In 1957, at 19 years old, I went to college.

During my probation period, we were in a car accident, and I lost my wife.

I went back to being an artisan. For seven years I requested study leave, but after that I had my name removed from the church’s register of potential full-time workers. 

But through the years I stayed active and served on all conceivable church committees to live my desire.

In 1983, the company where I worked offered me a relocation to Nelspruit. Which I accepted after praying a lot.

In Nelspruit, my finances took a dive and I started doubting whether it had been God’s voice that I had really heard. I thought that I had made an enormous mistake. But I held on and kept going.

In 1998, the local pastor asked me whether I would be interested in returning to the ministry. Since this was my life’s desire, I immediately said yes.

I had to appear before many councils. My activity career was tested and approved by the board of trustees.

In April 2003, I was officially ordained as pastor, but in May of that year I turned 65, the official retirement age.

Today, at 75 years old, I am still officially ministering at that same congregation, caring for ±115 seniors (which is full-time!).

Despite accepting that I hadn’t heard the Lord instructing me to relocate to Nelspruit, He provided at the right time and also provided for my old age. That’s why I say, wait, you are God’s child, He will provide when you really need it and give you the desires of your heart.

It is awesome to see God’s plans work out. Oom Jannie first had to be an artisan and do his ordinary work here on earth. And it is through this work that he eventually reached God’s final plan for him.

God has a plan for each of us. A better plan than our plan. He will ensure that we get there. Listen. Be silent. Leave everything to God, then everything will happen to you like it did with Oom Jannie and the heroes of the Old Testament: ⁴⁰God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. God promises this!

PS: I asked Oom Jannie if I could use his story. He replied that he had moved to a retirement village and that at 83, he was still ministering full-time. How awesome is this!

Scripture
Hebrews 11:39-40

Reflection
Do you listen to God’s voice?
Do you know what your calling is?
Do you follow your calling?

Prayer
Lord, I would like to do precisely what You have in mind for me, but I’m not completely sure what that is. Could You please speak a little louder? And help me become quieter. Amen.