The Churches Help Wanted Sign-Intro to "That God May Use Me" by Gary Laws

“Wanted, hearts baptized with fire,

Hearts completely cleansed from sin,

Hearts that will go to the mire,

Hearts that dare do aught for him;

Hearts that will be firmer, braver,

Hearts like heroes gone before,

Hearts enjoying God‘s full favor,

Hearts to love him more and more.”

John Lawley (1859-1922)

“Help Wanted” read the sign in the window

of a Syracuse, New York grocery store in 1955. It

attracted the interest of many young men who were

desperately looking for work. Some were of school

age and others were older persons with responsibilities

and families to support.

The owner of the store had taken many dozens

of applications and was having difficulty

deciding who the best candidate would be. To his

dismay, none of the applicants seemed to be the

„right one‟ for the position.

He was looking for someone who demonstrated

a desire to pursue the grocery business as a

lifelong career. Of the applications he had received,

it appeared that none met his criteria. He needed

someone who would be willing to work many

hours, learn all facets of the business and devote his

life to the success of the store; with a view toward

one day being in full charge.

One day a youth about 18 years old applied

for the position. During the interview he said to the

owner, “Sir, I will do everything it takes to become

the best employee you have. I am willing to take

any position and I am willing to learn whatever is

required.” The owner explained to this young man

that he would have to start out as a stock clerk, but

there would be room for advancement if he could

prove himself. He told the boy that he would be

with him each step of the way, giving him the

needed instruction and encouragement to succeed…

if he was willing to make a total commitment to the

task.

Excitedly, the young man told the owner that

he would have his full commitment to the success

of the business. He was hired on the spot!

There is a sense in which there is posted outside

many of our churches today, a „Help Wanted‟

sign. God is calling people who are willing to make

a full commitment to Him in Christian service. Our

Lord is telling us that if we are willing to do what is

required, He will walk with us each step of the way,

providing the necessary instruction, encouragement,

and favor so that we might succeed; first in

our personal Christian walk and then in our personal

service to Him and, then, others who need to

learn of Him.

“That God May Use Me” has been written

for those who desire to be used of God in ways that

He directs. In these pages you will find inspiration,

instruction and encouragement as you seek to

discover how God might best put you to work for

the Kingdom.

There is no greater calling than the calling to

Christian mission. That calling may lead many of

my readers down different paths of service. Whatever

those paths may be; one thing is for certain…

God has a plan for your life and discovering

that plan, and responding to it, will be an exciting

adventure unparalleled by any other you might

experience in life.

This book has been written for the layperson,

however, many considering full time service in

ministry will benefit from it as well.

God is searching for hearts baptized with

fire; people whose hearts have been cleansed from

sin and are willing to go into the mire of this world,

as thousands have before. God will bestow His

favor and blessing upon those willing to make this

commitment. Great miracles will flow from the

consecrated hearts of Gods people who are willing

to do His bidding.

May God bless you as you seek His will for

your life and, while doing so, declaring to the world

your desire, “That God May Use Me!”