Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, mcAlester, OK
Feb. 14, 2012

“We Still Need Role Models”
“Esteem her (wisdom) and she will exalt you…” – Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)

“Esteem:” To hold in high regard. Admire.

There are a number of people in my life that I would categorize as those I deeply esteem and/or admire. One is the man I consider to be my “mentor.” I will just refer to him as Earl. He was my wife’s pastor when she was a teen and I met him when I was only 15. He and his wife directed the District Children’s camp and when camp time arrived they had more children and not enough workers/counselors. When Earl saw the dilemma they were in he asked their workers if they knew of anyone they could call on to help. They were desperate to say the least. One of my best friends and the pastor’s son from my church was one of those there and even though I had only been a Christian for a little over a year he called me and another teen from the Church to see if we could help them that week. I was excited for the opportunity and although I realized the severity of the situation I appreciated the confidence that Earl had in me in allowing me such a crucial role in the lives of those children. I ended up counseling for Earl and his wife at that same camp for the next four years and some 35 years later I am still working at camps.
Earl was the minister who performed our wedding ceremony. He was present for the birth of all of our children and dedicated all of them. When our oldest daughter was preparing to go into surgery—facing life or death—he was there, holding us as we cried watching her being wheeled into the operating room. When I felt the call of God to go into full-time ministry—Earl took me under his wing, allowing me work within the Church in a number of capacities—giving me both insight and experience before I would take on the same role. When he accepted a Church in another city, the Church Board allowed me the opportunity to be the interim Pastor until a new one could be called. It was a great learning experience for me and gave me confidence for what would soon be the opportunity for me to go into full-time pastoral ministry.
During a resent trip to Colorado we met with several friends from that Church for dinner—a couple of them who were Board Members at the time and I was told by those individuals that to this day they regretted not calling us to pastor that Church. When we got in the car to go back to Dianne’s parent’s house we were filled with a sense of honor that they thought enough of us to have made that consideration, even though at the time I had never been a “senior” pastor. I use this example because I believe my admiration and “esteem” for Earl made me want to do everything in my power to be the very best I could be—regardless if that led me into full-time ministry or not. His approval meant a lot to us because of the time and effort he had invested into our lives. God invested everything into us. From the very beginning He gave His best—and when that wasn’t enough—He gave some more. He gave us His Son! When we “esteem” Him—Hold Him high in our hearts and lives I believe He will honor us in return. He will uphold us in trouble. He will carry us when we are weak. He will love us when we are unlovable. He will be everything we need Him to be—but we must lift Him up!! Just as Jesus said in the book of John: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14, 15) As a conclusion to my story—even though there are a number of miles between us, Earl and I remain close friends and if I am faced with a situation that is a bit beyond my expertise I will not hesitate to call him. I still admire and respect his wisdom and understanding.
We have the same ability…it is called prayer!! Are you utilizing it?
Pastor J. T. Carnell