While reading a biography of President James Garfield (Destiny of the Republic, by Candice Millard), I was struck by this comment he made: "I did not feel it right to consult my own preference in such a case."
Here's the story around that statement. In 1862, James Garfield was a Brigadier General in the Union Army. He also had been elected to congress. However, he did not take his congressional seat until a year or so later when President Abraham Lincoln asked him to (he was still actively serving in the military).
Here's what Garfield said, "I have resigned my place in the army and have taken my seat in Congress. I did this with regret, for I had hoped not to leave the field till every insurgent state had returned to its allegiance. But the President told me he dared not risk a single vote in the House and he needed men in Congress who were practically acquainted with the wants of the army. I did not feel it right to consult my own preference in such a case."
In light of a call of God on our lives; in light of the mission of the church that Jesus has given us; in light of the hurts and hopes of people around us, do we "consult [our] own preferences"? Or in such cases as these do we have the courage to say "I [do] not feel it right to consult my own preference"?
This little story from James Garfield's life was an encouragement to me. How about you?
