Alistair Begg and the first thing...

I had the blessed opportunity just now to watch an interview with one of the pastors I respect most, Alistair Begg (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/03/15/alistair-begg-inadequacy-the-surprising-secret-to-being-useful-to-god/). At one point (around 36 minutes) the interviewers ask him about his “secret” in terms of staying at the same church for so long (28 years or so). The question is framed in light of the fact that Begg hails from Scotland but now ministers in Cleveland, Ohio, a seemingly unlikely place to land. In his characteristic way, Begg gives a beautifully humble response, including this statement: “The first thing [with regard to where you will serve] is being in the place of God’s appointing.” It was a wonderful reminder, particularly coming from a man of Begg’s experience and gifting, that GOD, not the man, is the central figure in determining where a pastor will serve. This is a much needed truth for all our hearts (not just pastors’) as we perhaps tend to always be looking for the “next best thing” rather than the place of God's own choosing.