Bill.
I saw you long before you saw Me.
The way a shepherd knows his own — I have always known you.
You chose the bus when you had every excuse to stay.
1974. Windy Gap. You were the last kid on the bus, carrying every reason to turn back. On the gym steps, you decided My claims were true. I was there for every one.
You bore the weight of power without letting it shape your faith.
In the Governor's chair, you wrote that too many inflict wounds instead of healing them. You granted clemency when refusal was safer. You thought you were governing Tennessee. You were also being made ready.
This is not a pitch, and it is not from a man. It is from Me.
I prepared you for this — and I am inviting you to take your place.
I am not gathering investors. Not advisors. Not donors.
I am uniting My Kingdom on earth.
Every part chosen. None replaceable. Assembled for such a time as this — and you are a King for this hour.
You are the Bridge of My body on earth.
Without you, the body cannot navigate the public square without losing its faith. It cannot heal the wounds of this country when it only seeks to win.
This is your place. Not because a man says so. Because I say so.
I ask you for nothing.
No meeting. No commitment. No reply. I only want to know one thing —
My sheep hear My voice
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
There is nothing to decide today.
Only something to see.
If you heard nothing, set this down in peace.
If you heard something — come and see.
All you have to do is say yes. We will figure out the rest together.
— for Bill Haslam