Getting hurt on the job in April allowed me to take care of my dog, house, myself, help others. I wouldn’t hv bn able to do that if I was still at the job. Finding I had a fracture later let me get good therapy later. Being laid off in August, has led me to be able to reconsider other places I could work and more thankful for all that I have and don’t have. Feel protected that it could hv bn a lot worse. Still struggling with what’s next. Loved that job. Love to help people with disabilities, those who need extra physical help, support. 🙏🙏🙏. Protected from a mgr and admin that was less than supportive.
"felt like a leash tied to someone else's timing" hit so hard! Every single person in ministry has probably struggled through this. It's so hard to choose every day to put on the blinders and hear/see where God is leading you while tuning out the voice of those around you and where they think you're called. We can't forget that it isn't people who open doors, it's God. There is no gatekeeping in the kingdom of God except Jesus the gatekeeper. I think anyone who is called to big things and heavy responsibility goes through the long season of waiting and struggling and seemingly drudging through mud for years on end. But I often remind myself that I'd rather be an oak tree than a weed that sprouts up overnight. Indeed, long seasons of waiting and being tested grows deep roots! Satan puts all kinds of people in front of us who seem instantly successful with no effort to discourage us, but God is always faithful to those who are persevering through the long darkness of being hidden and feeling left behind. When we're faithful in that long season, we will one day be able to endure anything that comes against us for the kingdom of God. There is an intense spiritual battle coming in this world, and it isn't for the faint of heart! I've been running for some 20+ years, and I am often reminded that, anyone can run pretty fast for very short distances, but running a long distance with endurance takes years of perseverance and determination. This is why the Bible says run your race with endurance. When we're serving for the kingdom, we're not sprinting anywhere, we're building endurance!
Enjoyed the article Chris. I’ve recently been feeling a much greater pull toward some sort of bi-vocational ministry. Wondering why now, I can look around and see how God has gotten me to a place where my regular job provides both provisioning for myself and family along with ample time off. He has used life events, especially my daughter’s medical condition, time as a husband and father, time in the professional world, and time in the military, as a way to build my testimony. In that light the timing kinda makes sense. Don’t know where the road finally leads, at least in this life, but eager to walk it in His time.
My mum had always been in the background, a homemaker, mum to three girls, and supportive wife to my dad, a church pastor. Then she started a 'church' in her care home at the age of 91!
I've lost count now the number of things I desired that God protected me from.
Getting hurt on the job in April allowed me to take care of my dog, house, myself, help others. I wouldn’t hv bn able to do that if I was still at the job. Finding I had a fracture later let me get good therapy later. Being laid off in August, has led me to be able to reconsider other places I could work and more thankful for all that I have and don’t have. Feel protected that it could hv bn a lot worse. Still struggling with what’s next. Loved that job. Love to help people with disabilities, those who need extra physical help, support. 🙏🙏🙏. Protected from a mgr and admin that was less than supportive.
"felt like a leash tied to someone else's timing" hit so hard! Every single person in ministry has probably struggled through this. It's so hard to choose every day to put on the blinders and hear/see where God is leading you while tuning out the voice of those around you and where they think you're called. We can't forget that it isn't people who open doors, it's God. There is no gatekeeping in the kingdom of God except Jesus the gatekeeper. I think anyone who is called to big things and heavy responsibility goes through the long season of waiting and struggling and seemingly drudging through mud for years on end. But I often remind myself that I'd rather be an oak tree than a weed that sprouts up overnight. Indeed, long seasons of waiting and being tested grows deep roots! Satan puts all kinds of people in front of us who seem instantly successful with no effort to discourage us, but God is always faithful to those who are persevering through the long darkness of being hidden and feeling left behind. When we're faithful in that long season, we will one day be able to endure anything that comes against us for the kingdom of God. There is an intense spiritual battle coming in this world, and it isn't for the faint of heart! I've been running for some 20+ years, and I am often reminded that, anyone can run pretty fast for very short distances, but running a long distance with endurance takes years of perseverance and determination. This is why the Bible says run your race with endurance. When we're serving for the kingdom, we're not sprinting anywhere, we're building endurance!
This is so good! I’ve heard it said, “Don’t let your ‘calling’ to outpace your ‘character.’”
Thanks for your friends!
Enjoyed the article Chris. I’ve recently been feeling a much greater pull toward some sort of bi-vocational ministry. Wondering why now, I can look around and see how God has gotten me to a place where my regular job provides both provisioning for myself and family along with ample time off. He has used life events, especially my daughter’s medical condition, time as a husband and father, time in the professional world, and time in the military, as a way to build my testimony. In that light the timing kinda makes sense. Don’t know where the road finally leads, at least in this life, but eager to walk it in His time.
My mum had always been in the background, a homemaker, mum to three girls, and supportive wife to my dad, a church pastor. Then she started a 'church' in her care home at the age of 91!