speaking of Justin Taylor, you have got to check out his post about John Piper’s call to the ministry 30 years ago if you haven’t already.
The picture is worth the trip over this link.
but the testimony is good too.
The decisive night of wrestling was on Monday, October 14, 1979—30 years ago today. His wife and two young sons were asleep. But Piper was up past midnight, writing in his journal, recording the direction God was irresistibly drawing him to.
The journal entry for that evening begins in this way:
I am closer tonight to actually deciding to resign at Bethel and take a pastorate than I have ever been. . . .
The urge is almost overwhelming. It takes this form: I am enthralled by the reality of God and the power of his Word to create authentic people.
In effect the Lord was saying to him:
I will not simply be analyzed; I will be adored.
I will not simply be pondered; I will be proclaimed.
My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized; it is to be heralded.
It is not grist for the mill of controversy; it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will.
The calling to preach and pastor had become irresistible.