Last week, Chuck shared the story of his dramatic overnight conversion to Christ. This week he shares what happened next. Find out why his wife, Mary, turned down his first request for a date, how he has coped with his lifelong struggle with Tourette’s syndrome, and what God has done with his life.
What happened after you became a Christian?
I knew the moment I received Christ that I would devote my life to serving him. I began to share my faith with my colleagues and to meet other Christians, one of whom discipled me into a love of the Word.
At a Christian summer camp in New York, I met a young lady from Canada who turned me down the first time I asked her for a date, because she had already committed to taking a teen girl witnessing at a county fair. I was so impressed by her godliness that I pursued her even more. We married shortly after and eventually moved to Texas for four years at Dallas Theological Seminary.
From there, we served the Lord in a full-time capacity in two different churches for 12 years in Canada, and then planted a church in New York, where we lived for 25 years.
The Lord has been pleased to use us to build up believers through teaching, preaching, discipling, camp work, sports ministries, and most recently in a writing ministry and with BER.
What were you like as a kid?
As a kid, I was full of life, sports, and fun. In my teen years, basketball and baseball were my focus. In college, I lived for life’s pleasures while pursuing a degree in mathematics.
But underneath it all has been a lifelong struggle with Tourette’s syndrome. Before medicine was found to help tame down the tics, the struggle defined much of my younger life and caused me to work harder at being accepted by others and overcoming the insecurity that such a condition fosters.
This, as it turns out, has been the “thorn in the flesh” that God has used to help keep my excessive tendency to pride somewhat at bay. So now I can praise Him for it.
Of the 13 books you’ve written, which one is your favorite? Which was the hardest to write?
Day by Day in Hebrews is my favorite and it was the hardest to write. For the longest time, the depth of Hebrews seemed so overwhelming—I felt completely inadequate to understand the riches of the glory of Christ found there. But spending a year studying and meditating on its truths has thrilled my heart. To crystalize my thoughts by writing them was a great privilege.
What habits and disciplines have been most formative in your life?
Daily reading and studying the Bible. As with all Christians, spiritual discipline is a struggle, but this one thing has been consistent. Reading God’s Word as my daily bread has sustained me through the years.
What surprises you most about how your life has turned out?
I am still amazed that God wanted me and continues to want me. He chose me, of all people!
After so many years of being saved (nearly 50 years now), I shudder to think of how my life would have turned out had he not invaded my life back in 1972. And then for Him to use me to help build up others spiritually humbles me—that is truly a huge surprise, and I am still not able to get over it! His goodness continues to overwhelm me.
Chuck writes a blog with daily Scripture meditations that you can subscribe to receive five days a week. At the end of each series, the blog posts are compiled into a book in his Day by Day series of daily devotionals, which you can order (along with his other books) at Bible-equip.org/bookstore.