TURNING
DOWN A DREAM JOB

Topics: Commitment; Devotion; Ministry; Priorities; Sacrifice

Reference: Luke 14:25–33

Years ago, I worked part-time on the loading docks of various trucking companies. At one company I met a fine Christian man named Rufus Kidd. He had just completed his associate’s degree in transportation and wanted to make it a full-time career. Since the company was beginning to open up to minorities at that time, Rufus, an African-American, interviewed for a position.

Later I asked him how the interview went, and he said they offered him a job in sales, which would pay well and offer unlimited opportunity. I was excited for him, but he said he wasn’t going to take it. Although it was everything he wanted, he would have to give up his ministry with singles at his church. He said he would wait for a job to come along that would allow him to continue to teach his class.

Rufus sacrificed his chance to leave the sweltering docks and gave up a brand-new career to continue teaching.

—Kenneth Mitchell, Jacksonville, Florida