Have you been there? I have. Years ago I was serving as the Interim Pastor of a church near Florala, AL, which being interpreted means, it was a small church outside of a small town and I had no other options at the time.
The congregation was great, and I mean that. These were the kind of folks who raised chickens, rode horses, and could go all week without ever driving on a paved road. They would invite us over for fried chicken after Sunday service. They killed the
Truth is, I really liked the people. And when they voted to call me as their pastor the vote was unanimous. The only 100% vote I've ever had in a Baptist church. But, to use Paul's phrase, I had no rest for my spirit.
I called my pastor (every pastor needs a pastor) and told him the good the bad and the ugly. I talked with my wife, and after she got over the fact that the nearest Wal-mart was an hour away, she was willing to make the move. I prayed and thanked the Lord for the opportunity, but I couldn't shake the simmering in my soul.
I think I used "I don't have peace about it" a few times in my conversation with the chairman of the search committee/deacon/Sunday School teacher/treasurer when I turned down "the call." He was agreeable, but he wished I would have told him before the church voted. I wished that too.
To shorten the story, the church went on to find another Interim Pastor/future pastor. He was a close friend from college, and he had a fruitful ministry there over the next four years or so. I went on to accept a call from a fine church in Daleville, AL. Looking back, I have no doubt the decision was the right one.
An opportunity is not necessarily a call. May our Lord grant us the wisdom to know the difference.
1 comment:
I appreciate the way you gave a personal experience to show that an opportunity is not necessarily God's will. I have to pray every day for discernment. I want to stay in God's will. Thank you for a great post.
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