Take care of today
If you follow my blog, or read it occasionally, you probably know that I was a pastor for most of my ministry life. In addition to that, I spent 5 years serving with a mission agency and have had 2 seasons during that time in which I was not being paid to be in active ministry. I was waiting for God to show me what he wanted next.
In the first instance, I was selling office furniture because we had endeavored to move to Australia to plant churches and the door closed. When I switched to serving at the home office of the mission agency, my support quickly dried up and I sought out "secular" employment. The second of those times is right now. In July, I resigned my pastorate of nearly 9 years in Virginia because I became fully convinced that my time there had come to a conclusion and that God was done using me in that particular church. I'm still convinced that it was true, but God has permitted me (and my family) to stay in this interim period for a much more lengthy stay than we had anticipated. I have been involved in "secular" employment for about 6 months and, if I'm honest with myself, it looks like it will be quite a few more months until that changes.
Since I'm in a reflective mood today, I thought I'd share a couple of lessons that I'm taking refresher courses in right now from the Lord.
How are you doing on that score? Are you finding contentment as you wait on God's direction for you? Doesn't it make more sense to stop running and wait on the Lord? I think it was Chuck Swindoll who pointed out that human beings are the only creatures who run faster when they are lost. Let's slow down and even stand still if necessary until God says to move. It's scary to know I have no control over this...and comforting to know that He's got it all under control.
In the first instance, I was selling office furniture because we had endeavored to move to Australia to plant churches and the door closed. When I switched to serving at the home office of the mission agency, my support quickly dried up and I sought out "secular" employment. The second of those times is right now. In July, I resigned my pastorate of nearly 9 years in Virginia because I became fully convinced that my time there had come to a conclusion and that God was done using me in that particular church. I'm still convinced that it was true, but God has permitted me (and my family) to stay in this interim period for a much more lengthy stay than we had anticipated. I have been involved in "secular" employment for about 6 months and, if I'm honest with myself, it looks like it will be quite a few more months until that changes.
Since I'm in a reflective mood today, I thought I'd share a couple of lessons that I'm taking refresher courses in right now from the Lord.
- I am not indispensible. That's not sour grapes, and I'm not in a discouraged state today or anything, but it healthy for me to remember that the work of God is going on unhindered today in spite of the fact that I'm not currently a pastor. He doesn't need me to be a pastor; it is His grace that permits me the privilege of doing so.
- I am useful in the hands of the Lord. Just because I'm not currently a pastor doesn't mean I can't still serve my savior. I have been preaching at a church about an hour from here for the last 5 weekends and will do so again for at least 3 more. God still had a purpose for me in ministry.
- I have other things to do in the mean time. I'm working in the building trade right now 40 hours each week. I have become more and more aware that this is my mission field at the current time. I have the opportunity to influence others.
- While I can seek out opportunities and ask friends and influencers to assist me in my search for a new ministry, I ultimately cannot make that happen. I must wait until God opens the door.
- I can sit and stew and become frustrated about my circumstances or I can thank God for his sovereign work in my life as he prepares me for his next assignment.
- I have today to take care of. That's the reason for the title of this post. It comes from Psalm 119:105. The Psalmist says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The picture is more of a torch (or in our day, a flashlight) in our hands than anything else. The light didn't function to brighten the whole road ahead; it served to provide for the next step. If you ever went to camp as a kid and walked back to your cabin at night, you know exactly what I mean. When you were running from the main meeting back to your cabin at night, you didn't shine your flashlight at the trees; you shined it at the pathway. That's where the rocks and roots stuck out to trip you. If you pointed the light up; you fell. Do you remember doing that occasionally or was it just me?
How are you doing on that score? Are you finding contentment as you wait on God's direction for you? Doesn't it make more sense to stop running and wait on the Lord? I think it was Chuck Swindoll who pointed out that human beings are the only creatures who run faster when they are lost. Let's slow down and even stand still if necessary until God says to move. It's scary to know I have no control over this...and comforting to know that He's got it all under control.
This hit home for me tonight. Especially your 5th point. Trying not to be so frustrated about my own circumstances. L.
ReplyDeleteI completely get what you are saying. Accepting my circumstances without getting frustrated or bitter is a huge hurdle. I have talked to many people who feel the same way. We want to change our circumstances. Unfortunately we often have no control over them, so we "stew." It's a constant battle, isn't it? Stay strong.
Delete