And then there were two . . . Chris Moneymaker and Sam Farha.
In 2003, Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player, won the World Series of Poker. He had gotten into the WSOP Main Event by winning an online satellite tournament. For those of you who do not know what a poker satellite is, please read on. A satellite is when a tournament is played, not for cash prizes, but for seats into a bigger tournament. In this way, a player need not pay the full price to enter the Main Event (as it costs $10,000 per seat). If he or she is good enough, one can get in by eliminating a percentage of the field, or by taking first place, depending on the rules and structure.
Chris Moneymaker definitely made his money that day. $2.5 Million. His cards: 5-4 off-suit. His opponent’s: J-10 off-suit. Sam Farha had the odds, but Chris Moneymaker had the position and he had the dominant chip stack. And just like that, the odds of an individual hand suddenly don't mean much when you are up against a better position.
And then there were two . . . Two weeks, and a lot of pressure building up. I went to my friend's house the other day and saw a few ex-MLC students. Some of whom graduated, others dropped out. One of the students who left cautioned me about the groups that came from the different High Schools. Which I completely understand. These 17 and 18 year olds are leaving their homes and families in the time of a Great Recession and are moving across country, in some cases, to devote their next 4-8 years to learning God's Word and the rest of their lives to serving him in the Ministry. It is a big step for these young men and women.
So I can understand if they stick together with their fellow high school alumni.
I have the benefit of being 5 years older than most of the incoming freshman. I have more life experiences than most. I've held at least one job and a full time education for the last 7 years. I have excelled at my jobs and become very respected among my pears and professional acquaintances. I have pursued careers as a high school and college student. I have had works published and even a screenplay registered with the Writers Guild of America in LA. And I have a lot of firsthand experience in Ministry work.
Now, I don't say this to give myself props, because I know that everything I have is a blessing from God. My point is that even with these things, I feel very scared about this step. It is an excited scared and I think, a healthy scared. It is a fear from knowing that I will be entrusted with one of the greatest gifts that God has entrusted to us: the spreading of his word.
In some cases I feel like I have the better position . . . And then again, I feel very humble about this step. Maybe it's healthy to have a little of both.
But the so-called "better position" does not completely come from my age and experiences, but rather from the gifts and blessings that God has given me. And the fear is a reaction, not of sinfulness, but of the respect given to the pastoral ministry.
And then there were two. . . Two weeks until I leave California. 2 years until I finish at MLC . . . 6 years until I am an ordained pastor. All of this is by the grace of God.
I'm going all in.
God help me while I take this next step . . .
