Hello all:
I've been thinking a lot lately about the ministry of "staying put" and patiently waiting on the Lord's direction. People have a variety of opinions on how Christians should respond when a ministry or place of service turns difficult or veers off of its proper mission. Some people think that the best thing a Christian can do in that situation is to cut ties with the offending ministry and look for a "better" place of service. Others think that staying in place and being a "light shining in darkness" is the best option. Scripture seems to offer a variety of stories depicting both of these approaches. I want to share with you my personal experience. It is by no means intended to be the "measure" by which you should decide your course of action; rather, I would desire that you earnestly seek God's face and then obey his directions. That is the measure of a successful disciple--obedience to his Lord. So, dear reader, as you read my experience, take to heart these words: "Who are you to judge another's household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because of the Lord who is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4) Obey God and you will be successful in the eyes of the only one who matters.
I remember living in Waco, TX when I encountered a bit of trouble and seriously considered leaving the church I attended at the time. As my wife and I prayed about our situation, I kept returning to Psalm 37. Verse 3 of that Psalm says, "Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness." As I read this Psalm from David, I was reminded that sometimes the best thing I can do is simply wait before the Lord. I have learned that sometimes I simply need to "be still, and know that God is Lord."
We are often tempted to take what I call an "American" approach to ministry: We "work" our way up the ladder and progress from a "smaller" ministry to a "larger" one. We try sometimes to "help" God out by making our own opportunities instead of working diligently at the work God has placed in front of us. I'm not saying it is wrong to leave one work from another, I am simply stating that sometimes we need to "stay put" until we know God wants us to move to the next thing. We are full of anxiety, and we want to "make our mark." We should be listening to our Shepherd's voice. Does he want us to stay or to go? Obedience is success.
Sometimes, however, that requires patience and humble waiting on marching orders from God (an area in which I know my own deficiency!). Others may move on to "bigger" and "better" things, but God sees fit to keep us in the "small" thing or in the "unknown" or even "difficult" ministry. We are told to remain somewhere that is hard, while others are freed by God to pursue ministry in what appears to us to be less difficult pastures. It is a hard word, but one that we need to hear. Sometimes the ministry in front of us, the ministry of "today" is best for the moment. Being faithful in the little things sows seeds for faithfulness in the larger endeavors. The goal is to find where God wants you, then stay there until he releases you to a new opportunity. Remain faithful, and let God lead.
If you are in a "waiting period" at the moment, I want to share a poem I found in Streams in the Desert with you. I hope it is a blessing to you. It is entitled "Patience in the Routine."
We are often tempted to take what I call an "American" approach to ministry: We "work" our way up the ladder and progress from a "smaller" ministry to a "larger" one. We try sometimes to "help" God out by making our own opportunities instead of working diligently at the work God has placed in front of us. I'm not saying it is wrong to leave one work from another, I am simply stating that sometimes we need to "stay put" until we know God wants us to move to the next thing. We are full of anxiety, and we want to "make our mark." We should be listening to our Shepherd's voice. Does he want us to stay or to go? Obedience is success.
Sometimes, however, that requires patience and humble waiting on marching orders from God (an area in which I know my own deficiency!). Others may move on to "bigger" and "better" things, but God sees fit to keep us in the "small" thing or in the "unknown" or even "difficult" ministry. We are told to remain somewhere that is hard, while others are freed by God to pursue ministry in what appears to us to be less difficult pastures. It is a hard word, but one that we need to hear. Sometimes the ministry in front of us, the ministry of "today" is best for the moment. Being faithful in the little things sows seeds for faithfulness in the larger endeavors. The goal is to find where God wants you, then stay there until he releases you to a new opportunity. Remain faithful, and let God lead.
If you are in a "waiting period" at the moment, I want to share a poem I found in Streams in the Desert with you. I hope it is a blessing to you. It is entitled "Patience in the Routine."
"Stay there until I tell you." (Matthew 2:13)
"I'll stay where You've put me;
I will, dear Lord, Though I wanted so badly to go;
I was eager to march with the 'rank and file,'
Yes, I wanted to lead them, You know.
I planned to keep step to the music loud,
To cheer when the banner unfurled,
To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud,
But I'll stay where You've put me.
"I'll stay where You've put me; I'll work, dear Lord,
Though the field be narrow and small,
And the ground be fallow, and the stones lie thick,
And there seems to be no life at all.
The field is Thine own, only give me the seed,
I'll sow it with never a fear;
I'll till the dry soil while I wait for the rain,
And rejoice when the green blades appear;
I'll work where You've put me.
"I'll stay where You've put me; I will, dear Lord;
I'll bear the day's burden and heat,
Always trusting Thee fully; when even has come
I'll lay heavy sheaves at Thy feet.
And then, when my earth work is ended and done,
In the light of eternity's glow,
Life's record all closed, I surely shall find
It was better to stay than to go;
I'll stay where You've put me."
Oh restless heart, that beat against your prison bars of circumstances, yearning for a wider sphere of usefulness, leave God to order all your days. Patience and trust, in the dullness of the routine of life, will be the best preparation for a courageous bearing of the tug and strain of the larger opportunity which God may some time send you.
Last month I posted a note entitled "Others May You Cannot." It deals with a similar issue, and you can find it here if you'd like to consider it as well: Others May You Cannot.
Thanks for reading!
