I was swallowed by a whale.
Yes, you read that right. I, Cory Ruder, was swallowed by a whale.
This whale I’m speaking of is more of a figurative character though. Not like the actual whale that swallowed Jonah while he was running from God. But you see, I too was running from God at one point in my life.
When I had just turned 22, God laid it on my heart that I was to go and do international missions. Now this was something that scared me. I hadn’t been a regular goer to church or even a follower of Christ in some years. How was God supposed to use a broken man, that still wallowed in sin, to go do his work. Well I made a “pact” with God that I would do His will, when I finished my college career. I know that this is not how God operates but me finishing college was in His plan. He allowed me finish school and even get involved in a non-profit while at it.
After I graduated though, I had totally lost tract with what God told me. I didn’t have Him in my sights. It was like God had never actually spoken to me. I went to Culinary school in Colorado and continued to just live for myself. I wasn’t happy with what I was doing but Colorado had just enough distraction to keep me busy. Between work, school, music, and the outdoors I barely had time to rest, let alone spend time with God. After being there 5 months, I realized that God was calling me again. He was calling me to come and do His work. This call was big enough that I just upped and quit school and moved back home.
When I got home, my grandparents and parents immediately started pushing me to start a career. They said that I could get a job using my degree and still do what God wanted. They encouraged me to go talk with my pastor and pray about what God wanted me to do. My pastor and I had a great conversation later that week. He told me that I had to be right with God before I could work for Him. This struck home for me and I began to really pray and read His word. I also landed a job while in the process. I thought to myself that this might be what God wanted me to do for the time being. Well that was short lived as the company got bought out and I was out of a job again. I then did what I had always done and got a job at a restaurant.
With prayers from my family and friends, God then opened another door for me. It had been a full year since I graduated college. I had lived in Colorado and already dropped out of school. I had worked in the financial sector and it didn’t work out. I was just waiting tables at that point, sitting in limbo. One night I served the head salesman for a credit card processing company. We had spoken that night about my past endeavors and what I was doing waiting tables. He gave me his card and said that a spot in Oklahoma City was available. They needed someone there very soon.
He invited me to come for a job interview and in 2 days, I had the job. I was off traveling for the job and doing the “American Grind”. I was still trying to pursue God but it seemed difficult at times. I was still a newborn to Gods ways. I found that I hated putting a tie on everyday and going in for the sale. I would wake up depressed at times and knew there had to be something greater. Well one day I looked at a friends Facebook account and saw some old pictures of her on the race. Gods voice immediately came back and I knew that this was what I was suppose to do. I applied for the route thinking that I might not be accepted. I was so new to God and had such an awful past, why would they accept me?
I found out about a month later that I was in. It was time to start preparing for the race. More importantly, it was time to start preparing for what God wants me to do for the rest of my life. I had made the decision to start following God and the whale had spit me out. At times I feel like this is too much, raising money and then traveling with only a backpack. God always reminds me that I have no where else to go. I can either move forward with His plan or get swallowed by another whale.
I am now on my way.
Hebrews 13:21, (NLT) May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
