Monday, September 03, 2007

Don't leave Jerusalem...

I have seriously considered leaving my church more than once over the past year. I am drawn to resignation whenever my plans don't quite work out or perhaps when a critic doesn't fully appreciate my work. Thankfully, I didn't leave Jerusalem this past year. The disciples could have moved on with their lives, gotten jobs at the local funeral home or perhaps selling insurance. But they didn't! They stayed in Jerusalem. Hardship is rarely the voice of God telling us to move one. God doesn't seem to speak through discouragement. There are, of course, other voices telling us to quit. These are the voices that would keep us from fulfilling our purpose. Perhaps you need this word today as the disciples needed it in Acts 1:8 and as I have often needed it..."Don't leave Jerusalem!"

3 comments:

Mike said...

I'm behind ya, Dave! Although a little out of range, still behind ya!

Dave Samples said...

Thanks, Mike. We all need to be careful that we don't leave to quickly before the miracle shows up...

Anonymous said...

It always seems that in the middle of one of those times when you are thinking about leaving, God brings some things around that help you get right back in the saddle again.

I wrote a very similar blog entry just yesterday, as a matter of fact. And along came a couple of guys with some real words of encouragement. I wasn't looking forward to a committee meeting last night but there were several people on the committee who shared similar frustrations, and it turned out to be a real blessing. Thanks for sharing your heart. It certainly blessed me. I think I will stay in Jerusalem, too.

You might want to read what a couple of great guys wrote in response to my frustration and despair.

http://deepintheheart.wordpress.com