Mar 2, 2020 A Surprising Dead End

Inia Yari was building a robust career for himself in the military in Papua New Guinea. He was becoming good at breaking things, at utilizing force and a life of engagement battling in the darkness.

But one afternoon, as Inia was drifting off to sleep during his devotion, a voice cut into his consciousness with one instruction: Matthew 24:14 . Inia continued to slumber, ignoring it. Then he heard the the voice again, this time with increasing intensity: Matthew 24:14.

He ignored it, enjoying his afternoon nap. But then, he heard it again. Matthew 24:14. Reluctantly, he pulled himself from his slumber and reached for his Bible. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ÑMatthew 24:14 KJV

Inia didn’t know what to think of it. It seemed so random and out of place. He returned to his everyday activities and pushed it out of his mind. What he didn’t know was that God was preparing him for a surprising dead end.

A month or so later, in Port Moresby, Inia’s commanding officer came to him with an unexpected suggestion. I think you should resign. He paused. “Now.” Inia was shocked and disoriented! He didn’t quite know how to process this suggestion. His was a good job and he enjoyed the work.

However, on the advice of his officer, he humbly submitted his resignation papers and returned to his village. His resignation came with a separation bonus, which he used to build a house and a small shop where he could sell a few basic grocery items. That’s how Inia found himself becoming a simple shopkeeper.

He spent his days in his shop, trying to make sense of the unexpected dead end in his career and the surprising direction his life had taken. Eventually, he moved to his wife’s village. There he spent eight years faithfully serving as an elder in the church. Opportunities to study at Sonoma University and the Adventist University in the Philippines came and went without follow up.

One day, a conference official came to him. They had noticed his faithful work. They suggested that he pursue a ministerial certificate in Goroka. Inia was so surprised by the suggestion! He was a soldier and a shopkeeper! How could he be a pastor? But then he remembered Matthew 24:14 and finally he understood.

Before he’d ever realized it, God had this plan for him. We know that God works through us to spread the gospel of the kingdom and He had chosen Inia to help do that work years in advance!

Today, Pastor Inia is a district pastor in the Western Highlands Mission, in Papua New Guinea. When he looks back on his life he reflects on the cost of that resignationÑan earthly career of glory as a military sniper and training opportunities in Australia or with the US Marine Corps traded for a life of shepherding and building the flockÑhe is grateful for the “dead end.”

Inia the solider and the humble shopkeeper doesn’t regret a thing I don’t exactly know how I ended up here,” he shares. “It wasn’t my plan to be a pastor, but now I’m a warrior for God.

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Inspiration Moment: The Smallest Watchdog

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