Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas shares life experience

Cal Thomas, America’s most widely syndicated op-ed columnist and a longtime friend of Liberty University and its founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, challenged students on Monday to honor God with their lives.

Thomas shared about his 40-year career in broadcast and print journalism. After being unexpectedly fired from NBC in the 1970s, he went on an 11-year journey of understanding how to live for God and not for his own desires, he said.

“God’s ways and my ways are almost always the opposite,” Thomas said. “But God’s ways are always better.”

He told students how he put his faith into action during an interview in the 1980s for a columnist position at a liberal newspaper. During the interview he was asked about his Christian views. While he thought sharing his faith would result in not getting the job he applied for, he decided to hold fast to his convictions.

To his surprise, the Lord blessed him with the position and gave him a platform to be nationally syndicated, advancing his career and the kingdom of God.

From 1980 to 1985, Thomas also served as vice president of the Moral Majority, a conservative political lobbying group organized by Dr. Jerry Falwell.

Through even the tough times, Thomas said he learned the principle found in 1 Samuel 2:30.

“If I could honor God and not myself, then He would honor me in ways I couldn’t imagine,” he said.

Much of his talk centered on Ecclesiastes and being wise in the decisions we make for God.

“There are smart people and there are wise people. I’d rather be wise,” Thomas said. “Being wise is about having the mind of Christ.”

He said King Solomon concludes that chasing after fame, education, money and possessions will only bring “futility and frustration” while looking to God will bring “purpose, meaning and contentment.”

Thomas closed with a charge to the student body: “The reason you are here is to know Jesus of Nazareth. Get to know Him, He will never disappoint.”

Thomas’ work has appeared in more than 500 national newspapers. He has authored more than 10 books and has been a political contributor to Fox News. He has appeared on NBC News in Washington, D.C, and CBNC. He is currently a regular contributor on the Fox News Channel and a writer for USA Today.

Thomas has spoken at Liberty several times. Last year, he participated in a debate during convocation with Bob Beckel, a liberal democrat with whom he co-authored “Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America.”

• View Thomas’ message on Liberty’s YouTube channel.
• Listen to an interview with Cal Thomas on Victory FM on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 8:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.