Washington, D.C. – It’s About Him

The date: September 6, 2007. The place: Washington, D.C. The occasion: The first time I had the honor of interviewing my father, Zig Ziglar, on the Get Motivated Seminar platform. Dad climbed the stairs to the stage amidst exploding fireworks and the deafening roar of 18,000 cheering, waving, clapping Zig fans. I followed along, clinging to the knowledge that God was in control. My mom had been going with Dad to all of his Get Motivated Seminars since the beginning of the year, but my sister Cindy accompanied us on the trip to give me moral support and to keep my mind off the unknown. I knew she was praying hard for me; asking God to take care of the details as I stepped onto the stage and into the unknown.

For me there was no doubt that God had orchestrated the events of that day, or that He had begun to arrange it so many years in advance that I would never know the exact moment the plan came into being. All I knew was what my pastor taught me: You don’t have to go looking for the purpose God has for your life. He will put it right in front of you. But, you do have to be available, you do have to be willing, and you do have to be obedient so you can recognize and accept the responsibility for what He wants you to do.

I could have spent time thinking about how big the crowd would be and how I had never spoken in front of a crowd bigger than about three hundred, and then for only five minutes with my sister by my side. I could have worked up a big fear of the future and fear of the unknown and serious doubts about “who did I think I was, anyway?” But instead I knew I had to say yes. I was supposed to say yes. It was my duty to say yes. And I knew in my heart that regardless of what happened, I would not be doing any of what I was being asked to do alone. It wasn’t about me, it wasn’t about Daddy, it was about Him.

Since an elderly black woman named Sister Jessie led my father to the saving grace of Jesus Christ on July 4th, 1972, my father has lived his life for Him. Head injury or not, there would be no departure from the purpose God had given my father from that day forward, which was to let people know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Did Dad become a preacher? No. Nor did he become an evangelist. He simply gave God credit for everything in his life. He acknowledged God, he taught simple principles for better living in the style of parables that Jesus used, and every principle he taught was Biblically based. He taught the truth.

My new purpose was to get out from behind my editor’s desk and help Dad continue with his purpose. I did what I was asked to do and God took care of the details.