I have changed jobs/ministries over the past 30 years 6 times and as I enter my 31st year of ministry, I start my 7th place of ministry.
Everytime I find myself in transition, I dream of being asked to come back. I dream that they will realize how much they miss me or need me and quickly find a way to bring me back. I say dream because it never did happen. I kind of get what David went through when his own family members were not calling him back to serve as their king.
Say to the leaders of Judah, “Why are you the last tribe to think about bringing King David back home? He is your brother, your own relative! Why haven’t you done anything to bring him back?” – 2 Samuel 19:11-12 CEV
One thing has happened though – somewhere along the way, maybe after 1 or 2 years of being away, I will hear things. Sometimes they are direct and sometimes indirectly I will hear that it was wrong for them to let me walk away and they should have fought harder to keep me. The reasons are really good reasons and most have to do with my character and walk with God. God tries to show me that He is my protector, He guides me and when it is my time to go, it is my time. My character has nothing to do with it, He just wants to protect me and put me in the right place of ministry for that time.
If you honor the Lord,
his angel will protect you.
Discover for yourself
that the Lord is kind.
Come to him for protection,
and you will be glad. – Psalm 34:7-8 CEV
Makes me think that maybe I forget to invite God back into my life after going through some of these life-changing transitions. Actually, this last transition was the worst. I had to leave a ministry before God opened the door to the next place. His goodness was all I had. I turned to Him in ways I would never had done if I was in a safe place.
You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him? – Romans 2:3-4 CEV
Father, thank you for loving me even if when there are times I am not thinking of You. Thank you for caring and protecting me even though I may feel I am not in a safe place. Each step I take, I take with You. So looking back, I see You moulding my character, making me into a better leader. Basically, challenging me to lead others into Your incredible and life-changing presence. I thank You for giving me this ministry. Amen
Erwin (evanlaar1922)
From the archives. Originally published May 23, 2018.
Sixty-six books in a year 