The Calling of Johnny Little

By Jay Ptacek

Johnny Little has always been a man of faith. He does his best to look at situations and people through eyes of love and understanding. One day, while on a family outing, he felt a pull to prayer. Stepping away to a private place, he knelt down by a stone and bowed his head. That's when he had an experience that would change his life forever.

He received a calling to serve in a way he had never expected.

As Johnny faces his tasks, he is guided by his faith. Will his faith hold as he walks the path laid out before him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098095994

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The Calling of Johnny Little

Jay Ptacek

Copyright © 2021 by Jay Ptacek

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Blessed Experience

Strength of Faith

It Begins

To the Enemy

Home Again

Testimony

Taken

After the Tasks

Prologue

It was a warm, late spring day in northwest Oregon. Johnny Little was taking his family to Mt. Hood for a hike. His three sons Gabriel, age nine; Isaac, age ten; and Benjamin, age twelve were in the backseat. They were playing games and singing along with the songs on K-LOVE. His wife, Rachel, was gazing out the window, lost in thought.

The Littles are followers of Christ. Johnny and Rachel are devout in their faith. The children do their best to follow their parents’ example. They tithe every payday, do volunteer work, and helped those in need whenever they are able. Johnny and Rachel always look for opportunities God would provide to share the Good News of Christ. The family prays frequently through a day (alone or separately). God is to whom they turn for everything.

Johnny’s prayers are almost always for others. The only things he asks for himself are guidance, strength, and forgiveness for any sin he may have committed. He knows he’s not perfect, and he doesn’t pretend he is. He knows, like the rest of the world, he makes mistakes and needs to be forgiven sometimes.

Rachel loved Johnny very much. His faith inspires her and strengthens her own faith. She too does her best to follow God’s path. They both set good examples of godly living to their children and the world around them. Their children do their best to follow that example.

As strong as his faith is, Johnny still felt he wasn’t doing enough. He often has to remind himself that God is using him for a purpose, even when he can’t see it. Though he knows it’s not about works but faith, he feels like he falls short of his purpose.

Little did Johnny know that today was going to be special. God’s purpose for Johnny was about to be revealed, in a quite unexpected way. Today, Johnny’s eyes would open further than he could hope. So great is his purpose that, unbeknownst to him, he has two guardian angels.

1

Blessed Experience

As the Littles reached Mt. Hood, the children’s energy levels seemed to spike. Johnny found a place to park, and the family unloaded. They grabbed their packs, with food and water, and headed to the trails for a day of nature. They loved spending time in God’s creation, away from the cities.

Mmmm, Johnny said warmly after taking a deep breath. Smell that fresh mountain air.

You boys ready to have fun? Rachel asked.

Yeah, the children replied together.

I can’t wait to explore, Benjamin exclaimed.

I’m gonna catch some bugs, little Gabriel added.

Those trees are begging to be climbed, Isaac said enthusiastically.

Well, it seems you boys have your day planned out, Rachel giggled.

At least they have plenty of energy for it, Johnny commented with a smile.

It was just after 10:00 a.m. as they started up the trail. They planned to stay most of the day. Rachel brought a picnic lunch for them to enjoy so they could stay on the mountain longer. Her pack had thermal lunch bags for each of them as well as her snacks and water.

They didn’t move up the trail as fast as they first thought. Though the boys did have plenty of energy, as Johnny pointed out, they got distracted easily. A movement in the brush, a cool-looking bug, a small animal—there were so many things catching their attention. Johnny and Rachel enjoyed watching the kids explore in their wonder.

As noon approached, the family started getting hungry. The kids had worked up an appetite with all their running around. Johnny and Rachel had worked up an appetite trying to keep up with the kids. So with everyone ready to eat, they found a nice spot for their picnic.

All right, Johnny began as they were ready to eat, whose turn to say grace?

All three boys answered together.

The older two said, Gabriel!

Mine, Gabriel said, his smile beaming.

The little one’s smile made his parents smile too.

Well, all right, Johnny said, speaking in his normal, warm tone. You’re up, little man.

Smile still beaming, Gabriel folded his hands and bowed his head.

Dear Lord, he began joyfully, Thank you for today and for Mom, and Dad, and Isaac, and Benjamin. Thank you, dear God, for this food and all you give. Please bless this food as you have blessed us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Amen, the rest of the family echoed.

As he raised his head, Gabriel looked up almost shyly. He hoped he had done a good prayer. He was waiting for affirmation.

Good prayer, Gabe, Benjamin smiled.

Yeah, very nice, little bro, Isaac added.

That was beautiful, baby, Rachel said, smiling.

Couldn’t have done it better myself, Johnny confirmed with a smile.

With that, the beaming smile returned to Gabriel’s face. He once again looked confident.

Feeling good about his prayer, he said, Now let’s eat before the blessing wears off.

The family chuckled a bit, and Johnny replied, I don’t think it works like that, son. But yeah, let’s eat.

As they ate, they talked about God, school, work, and whatever else came up. Once they finished eating, the boys gathered their trash and put it into the bag Rachel brought. Then they went to play. They stayed close to their parents as Johnny and Rachel made sure they didn’t miss any trash. Once they were done, Rachel made sure everything was packed up properly and Johnny took one last look around for anything they missed or had been blown by the wind.

Johnny was about to join Rachel by the boys, but something caught his attention. He saw a light coming from the woods. For a moment, he just stood there wondering what it was. Then he heard a voice.

Come and speak with the Lord, the voice was comforting and spoke with authority and warmth.

Hey, Rachel, Johnny called out as he began moving toward the light. You and the boys okay for a minute? I need to go spend some time with the Lord.

Go ahead, sweetheart, she responded lovingly. We’re good.

Johnny made his way to where the light seemed to emanate. He made his way through the trees, the trail disappearing from view behind him. Eventually he came to a small clearing with a strange boulder in the center. The light seemed to be coming from directly above the rock. This was where Johnny figured he was being called. As he approached the boulder, he noticed it was oddly shaped.

From the ground, the side facing him came up at an angle. There were two grooves down the incline. The top was mostly flat. From where he stood, there was a slight incline from the edge to the center. Again, there were two grooves along the incline. Johnny knelt down at the rock and was a little surprised. The angle and grooves on the bottom fit his legs perfectly as he knelt. The incline on top fit his arms perfectly to fold his hands in prayer. It seemed to him that this rock was designed for prayer.

Johnny positioned himself for prayer. Before bowing his head, he then turned his ear toward Rachel and the boys. Though too far away to see, he could her faint sounds of play and laughter. He smiled as he listened for a moment. Then he turned back to rock and bowed his head.

Dear Heavenly Father, Johnny began warmly, I come to You in thanks and love. I come to You, humble and obedient. You have blessed me more than I could have ever asked, more than I will ever deserve. I know You do this because You love me. You are always with me, no matter what. No matter how often I fail, you never do.

He paused for a moment, and then he continued, Father, I feel you have called me. You sent a messenger for me, Lord, he told me to come to You in prayer. Now, Lord, I anxiously await Your message. My heart and all I am is Yours, Lord, do with me as you will.

Johnny just sat there, patiently waiting. He stayed motionless and silent. Though he didn’t know what he was waiting for, he knew he needed to wait. After a moment, he felt a hand on either shoulder. A blissful warmth began to come over him. Still, he remained as he was—peace filling him and warmth consuming him.

Once he’d been fully engulfed by these things, he felt the environment around him change. The ground beneath him seemed to soften and shift, like he was kneeling on sand. The air around him became hot and dry. It felt as if the trees had gone and the sun was beating down on him.

He felt the hands on his shoulders slowly lift away. Johnny was anxious and curious, but he remained still and silent. His mind was racing but unable to come up with an explanation. Still, he sat motionless and quiet.

Johnny had no idea how long he stayed there motionless. He just waited there patiently. Though he wasn’t sure why he felt the need to stay there, he knew it was what he needed to do. After a few more moments, Johnny heard the voice again.

"Rise, came the comforting, warm, authoritative voice. He comes to speak with you."

The words somehow filled Johnny with anticipation. He became overwhelmed with joy. His heartbeat increased as he felt filled with love and peace. Obeying the voice, Johnny began to open his eyes and stand up. The sun stung his eyes, and he recoiled a bit. Shielding his eyes with his hand, he slowly opened them again.

As his eyes adjusted, he was awestruck. There before him was the boulder he knelt by, but everything else had changed. The trees and mountain were gone. Sand was everywhere as far as he could see. The arid air of the desert had replaced the cool mountain air. He’d knelt down in a midday forest and rose to a morning desert.

Before he could begin to try and make sense of what he saw, a figured appeared in the west. Johnny locked on to the figure with his eyes. He strained to see more than just the silhouette of the figure. Though his heart raced in his chest, he was not afraid. He found himself becoming anxious—he was even smiling.

Soon the figure came close enough for Johnny to start making out detail. It was a bearded man with slightly disheveled hair. He wore a type of robe with a rope tied around the waist. On his feet were strapped sandals. To Johnny, he looked like someone straight from the Bible.

The closer the man came to him, the more at ease Johnny felt, and a deep peace engulfed him. It only took another moment for Johnny to realize who was in front of him. Immediately he fell prostate in the sand. Tears of joy streamed down his face, causing the hot sand to stick. Johnny barely noticed the sand burning his face. He didn’t care about anything right then but who was in front of him. Johnny was in the presence of the Messiah.

Jesus stopped with His feet at Johnny’s head. Lifting his head slightly, Johnny saw the Lord’s feet and kissed them. Then he put his face back in the sand. Johnny then heard His voice.

"Rise, child of God, and accept my embrace."

The Lord’s voice was like none he’d heard before. It was the warmest, most loving sound he had ever heard.

Slowly Johnny began to rise. He saw the Lord’s face smiling so brilliantly, His arms were open to accept Johnny into them. Johnny embraced the physical body of the Lord in a hug. Every worry, fear, and heartache Johnny had ever known just vanished. There was nothing else but him and God. Every negativity and evil were unable to come near his mind. The peace, joy, and love that filled him at that moment were absolute.

They stood in an embrace until Johnny felt it was time to release. He didn’t want to let go. He wanted to spend eternity right there in that moment. The Lord waited patiently for Johnny to be ready to release him.

Forgive me, Lord, Johnny spoke at last. I know I shouldn’t be here.

"Oh, dear Johnny, came the Lord’s perfect voice. Do you really think you could be here without my Father’s knowledge or against His will?"

Uh. Johnny realized the fallacy of what he said. No, Lord.

"Then you must be exactly where you are supposed to be, yes?" The Lord’s tone never wavered.

Every time He spoke, His voice was full of love and patience.

Johnny smiled. Yes, Lord. I guess I’m just caught off guard by this highest of blessings.

"Dear child of God, you have been created with great purpose. My Father’s heart was joyful when you accepted me as your Savior. As it is with all who come. With that first act of faith you began a journey that has brought you here. If you choose to follow by your faith, you will bring glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Do you understand?"

I am here because You are going lead me toward my purpose, Johnny responded, unsure.

"Yes, you are, and I Am. As I said, your purpose is great. We have guided and protected you, Johnny. You have been given two angels to watch over you, for your purpose is great."

Me? Johnny responded. He knew the Lord only spoke truth, but he never saw himself as great.

"Do you doubt my words?"

No, Lord, I…I just have never considered myself that way. It’s a bit of a shock, I guess.

"Like the others, you have faltered on occasion. However, you’ve always come back. You are faithful, Johnny. You have a strong faith that will serve you well with what is to come."

Thank you, Lord. So I’m guessing you’re setting me on my way but not spelling out every step.

"I will start you in the right direction, and the Spirit will guide you according to my Father’s will. Many things must be discovered, and others revealed in time. For now, come walk with me." The Lord put his hand on Johnny’s shoulder and smiled.

Johnny smiled and nodded his assent. Then they began walking together, side by side, to the east.

The two walked together in silence as the Lord’s words sank into Johnny’s mind. Walking next to the Lord gave him a clear and focused mind. The peace that emanated from Him filled Johnny completely.

Eventually, dusk began to fall over them. The sky began to dim and change color. The air around them was cooling down as well. That’s when they stopped by what appeared to be the same boulder where Johnny had knelt before.

"It’s almost time for you to return, Johnny," the Lord said lovingly.

Yeah, Johnny sounded sad, I guessed that’s what the boulder meant.

"Don’t be sad, Johnny. I know you don’t want to leave me. Remember, I am always with you. One day, soon enough, we will be together like this for eternity. Now I must tell you what my Father has asked me to tell you."

I’m ready, Lord, Johnny responded eagerly.

"This is what you need to know—your journey begins when you face a common yet unexpected enemy. Have faith, and they will be delivered into your hand. Before the sun sets that day, you will be called for by this enemy. You are to go to them. Remain strong in your faith, trust in God, and you will return home with another. You will be protected. Your angels and another will guide you as your purpose unfolds. Remember, this is but one step in your journey."

Yes, Lord, I will follow.

"Now we must part physically, but I will not leave you. I am always with you."

Thank you, Lord, for being you. Johnny embraced the Lord again, kissing Him on the cheek.

"Now, child of God, talk to my Father. It is time for me to go and be tempted in the desert."

As Jesus went to the desert, Johnny knelt beside the rock once more. Before bowing his head, Johnny looked toward the Lord one more time. He was in awe of what had just transpired. Being face to face with the Lord was something he thought he’d have to wait for; but there He was—in the flesh. As Jesus’s form turned to a silhouette once more, Johnny bowed his head.

Johnny took a deep breath and smiled. Then he prayed, "Heavenly Father, I don’t know what to say, but thank you, Father, for all you are and all you do. Thank you for choosing—no, I mean creating—me for this. You have always been there. You have never failed or faltered. I hope that in this journey I am beginning, I do not fail you. As always, Father, I will rely on you and your strength and grace to guide me. Father, in you nothing is impossible. Without you, Father, there is nothing. Thank you, thank you for being the God that you are. In the most precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen."

As he prayed, he felt hands on his shoulders once more. The feeling of warmth and peace filled him as he spoke to God. When he finished praying, he noticed the breeze, the rustling of the trees, and the firmness of the ground had returned. He heard the birds singing and, in the distance, a little way, the laughter of his children.

At first, he didn’t get up. He opened his eyes and sat there. Though