The old hymn Trust and Obey has a lot of meaning for Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Ramping into a second campaign for governor of Wisconsin, Walker spoke Friday to 100 men who attended Madison’s monthly outreach lunch of the Christian Businessmen’s Committee (CBMC).
Walker stayed away from political issues during his talk, and spoke about his faith walk as a follower of Jesus Christ. Walker was raised in a Christian family, his father was pastor of First Baptist Church in Delavan. He and his family currently attend Meadowbrook Church in Wauwautosa.
Even though he grew up in a pastor’s home Walker said, "I knew of God, but I didn’t know him" until he took a discipleship class just prior to entering middle school. Before that time, he said, he was going through the motions because it seemed like the right thing to do. But at the end of that class he committed himself to following Jesus Christ and making him Lord of his life.
"I said, ‘To the best of my ability I’m going to obey where You lead me,’ and that commitment has meant all of the world to me," Walker said.
Walker shared about several events in his life–meeting his wife, running for office in college, finding jobs with IBM and the Red Cross–how God had led him through those experiences, and how he learned to "trust and obey." He said that when he got away from trusting in God his decisions didn’t turn out as well for him.
He said that he felt God leading him to run for governor of Wisconsin four years ago. But then he pulled out of the race. "I was focused too much on the choppy waters of my life (and not focused on God)," he said.
Now he’s running for governor again as a Republican party candidate but he’s not claiming God’s endorsement. "I don’t believe God picks sides in politics," he said. "I believe God wants us on His side."
He concluded his testimony by stating, "The way to be complete in life is to turn your life over to Christ and follow Him."
To listen to Scott Walker’s testimony at the CBMC lunch, click here.