Such a test came to me in the following year around June. Several lads in my class were seeking apprenticeships at Chatham Dockyard. A number of trades were on offer but it depended upon a successful outcome of sitting a rather stiff entrance exam. If you passed, then the higher you came, the better your choice of the apprenticeships on offer. I sat this and, to my astonishment, finished in the top 4%! Looking at the number of vacancies for the best trades I could see that I would have the choice of the top two on offer. However, when the medical occurred I was turned down because of my defective hearing.
As you can imagine, this was a crushing disappointment when, at the age of 17, I suddenly felt a deep sense of hopelessness - what was to become of me now?
Through this deeply distressing experience the Lord taught me, as a young Christian, two very valuable lessons.
Firstly, I was to recognise that He is in control. Whatever happened, Romans 8 v 28 meant what it said, and that God really was "working all things together for good".
Secondly, I needed to learn that, in all situations and circumstances of life, God would provide; Phil 4 v 19 is a reality - God really would provide for me all that I needed.
Looking back over the last 45 years I have found these two lessons to be of inestimable worth as I have, at times, faced difficulties and trials. Throughout the last four and a half decades God has kept me, by his grace, and led me to lean completely upon Him, seeking to draw on Him for much needed strength with every trial faced.
I share this with readers in the hope that it will be of help to any who are struggling with an issue, or trial. Put your trust completely in God - He will see you through. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you.....For I am the Lord your God..."
Isaiah 43 v 2-3.
