“’I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.’ And he worshiped the Lord there.” – 1 Samuel 1:27-28
I was born into a pastoral family and all my childhood was spent within the life and activity of the church. I did not choose to be born there, this is where I identify with Samuel, whose mother placed him totally at the service of God in the temple. We all know the story of Samuel, his great discipline, and his obedience to God.
Growing up in the church had some negative aspects to it, but it is here where I was able to develop a vast knowledge of the Bible stories through many Sunday school classes. When I was growing up the children had to sit in the pews of the temple next to their parents during the entire service given that there were no activities for us. Many of the services would last up to two hours, which meant we were subjected to strict discipline.
Now, as an adult, I can reflect on my life and I can appreciate how God had been molding me in a long process of discipleship. I can clearly see how succumbing to such strict discipline has helped me better understand how to depend on and be obedient to God. I was a pastor in Cuba for 14 years, I have traveled through several Latin American countries on my journey to reach the United States of America and in these last three years, I have served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, even accepting the challenge of pastoring two Anglo congregations, which has been a great challenge for me. But I accepted that challenge in obedience to God’s calling and trusting in His provision.
During this Lenten season, I take the opportunity to reflect and deepen the meaning of what it is to be a faithful disciple of Jesus. I recognize that I am not enough to do what I do, but I know that I am HIS instrument, that HE called me, that HE has inspired me with HIS Spirit and that He will complete the part that I cannot do. Today, I am proud of where I was born and grew up because it has allowed me to remain faithful and devoted to an ongoing, meaningful life of discipleship obedient to His calling.
Lord, thank you for all the ways in which, even though some were uncomfortable for me, You have used throughout my life to teach me to be a disciple of yours. Amen.
Rafael Martinez is the pastor of the Spring Hope Charge and Executive Director of La Estrella Resplandeciente