We’ve been thinking about the call to be obedient in all of our housegroups this week. I think it is obedience in the small things that often leads to great things happening in our lives.

A few years ago I met a New York pastor who told me this story. About two or three weeks before the 9/11 disaster a friend of his told him he should buy a clerical collar. The minister came from a non conformist tradition and simply discarded his friend’s suggestion.  A few days later the man was met by his friend  and again he suggested that he buy a clerical collar. He added ” I’m sure you’ll need it one day”  This time the pastor found a clerical outfitters and purchased the item. He told me he took it home and placed it in a drawer thinking to himself. “I’ll never wear this”

Two or three weks later it was 9/11 he heard the story on the news and he immediately went to the site to offer help. His church building was very close to the scene of the crime. When he arrived down town every street was cordoned off. He approached the police to get through barracades, to be told it was only uniformed personnel who were allowed through.

He immediately went home put on his clerical collar and was allowed to pass into the area. The clerical collar was a pass that allowed hime to be a pastor to many people that day. During the following weeks and months his congregation played a vital role in offering help and support to thousands of people.

So what would have happened if the pastor hadn’t been obedient on the small simple thing of buying a clerical collar.