Today was one of the hardest days in ministry that I’ve had in many months, yet it was a confirming day at the same time. Let me explain.
I emailed our staff Sunday night that this was an impossible week for me schedule wise. It is my last week of classes for my second master’s degree (YEA!), I am speaking at a conference this weekend, and I’m preaching Sunday, in addition to a full schedule of meetings. I was feeling overwhelmed before I started and wanted them to have advance warning that I would be stretched. (I’m not that much fun to be around during those times…some days.) This morning, after learning of my fifth crisis of the week and it being only Tuesday morning, I sent the staff another email. I had tried too hard to plan my schedule for the week and God had other plans. I needed their prayers.
That’s also when the confirmation occurred to me. This is what I’ve been called to do. I spent 20 plus years in business running from a call to vocational ministry, but today is an example of why I believe God placed a call on my life. I have, for whatever reason, the ability to help people wade through the crisis times of life. I have an ability to bring calm to some storms. As hard as those times are…as much as I’d love to run from them some days, this is what and who God called me to be.
This week is not over yet, and I’m hoping for some rest from the storms to prepare my heart for the next wave of trauma, but I’m also confident I’m doing what God has called me to do.
Here’s an important question I think God would have me ask at this point:
Are you doing what God has called you to do?
(I obviously can’t and wouldn’t share any specifics, but would you be willing to pray for some very hard situations right now?)
God has called & affirmed that calling many times since I followed Him into it. But I seem to be at a crossroads & I know God is calling me on into a new thing within my wider church & as a pastor but the way ahead is currently masked. An unexpected & unusual, for my situation, door has seemed to swing open a little, a task that I have no experience of & personal circumstances that would seem not to favour the task. Plus I have no idea how to quietly investigate the possibilities within my wider church. I’m very much seeking God’s will too so I’ll be checking out the links you suggest above.
In the meantime I pray for you. Your words & thoughts have helped me many times. I pray God will richly resource you & that His power will be seen in those circumstances that are on your heart.
Thanks so much for your encouragement to me. Keep pressing forward!
Thanks for sharing, Ron! As a pastor, I know all to well the pain but thanks for the reminder of what (and Who) we do this for! May God give you calm sailing in the midst of the storms!
God has called me to equip seekers to be all they can be in Christ and partner/network with like-minded ministries in our region and around the world! I am in the perfect place to do that, working with the best pastoral staff I can think of. I love it when God's plans come together.
Thanks so much for the post, Ron!
Blessings,
Dave
Thanks Dave! It's always good to have those confirming times.
Praying for the situations and for you Ron! God bless!
I'm praying for ya Ron! & if you don't mind when ya get a sec return the favor please, I am at a real cross roads right now & truly don't know what God wants me to do at this point. I can stay in st louis & live through some tence situations with the two chrches I'm in contact with, move to granitcity & help a church that is starting in 2011, or move to chicago & help with a ministery there, all seem good choices in there own way & possibly in Gods will but have no clue what so ever where he wants me or is taking me at the moment. thanks man
I will. Be sure to read some of the other posts I have done on determining God's will and changing ministry assignments:
https://ronedmondson.com/2009/06/discerning-a-… https://ronedmondson.com/2009/10/gods-will-in-… https://ronedmondson.com/2009/11/giving-god-a-… https://ronedmondson.com/2008/09/how-to-hear-g… https://ronedmondson.com/2009/01/5-ways-to-hel…
Let me know what you decide.
Thanks. I'll trade you that prayer.
Have I told you lately how incredibly proud I am of you? God is doing amazing things in and through your ministry and I am thankful that He allows be to be by your side…praying!! Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world…
Wouldn't want to do it without you…even if you are watching Glee!
Thanks Renee
Thanks Glenn. I'll trade you my pastor friend. Hope your church is going well.
Praying for you Ron, and for all the situations involved!