Dear B. Joe,
I’m sorry you feel that way. Opposition and resistance often
makes you wonder if it’s all worth it. And I thought your question was good. “How
do you keep your heart close to the Lord and separate from your situation?”
This past week in the One Year Bible there was a lot about
Paul. How did he manage? Not only did he have resistance from the unsaved, but
also from very tight, conservative believers. How did he keep his heart strong
and positive?
And then there was Josiah, fighting the great fight knowing
that after he died all would be lost. Even his kids weren’t following the Lord.
How did he keep his hope and heart alive? And you can add Elijah and Elisha to
this list of fighters against futility. Noah was in the same boat. Sorry. :)
I guess all of the failures in the Bible are there to
encourage us not to put our expectations above God’s. You and I have both been
in places where, when we moved, we saw individuals we had touched. Maybe it was
just for them. For me KC was like that. There was no lasting work and the
church wasn’t saved, but remember what I told you about Bob? I said, “So what was the purpose of my coming
here,” and he says, “Obviously God brought you here for me.” That has to be
enough for me to know.
I think we get in trouble when we put our expectations of
what could be, in place of the reality of what the Lord wants. The goal is always
only to follow the Lord and honor him. If you can’t save your group or move
them to fruitfulness then maybe it wasn’t the Lord’s will or your fault. That
means that those threats and obstructions are already known to the Lord. The
fears you expressed have more to do with your desires and fears than what the
Lord might actually want. I guess that is what the Lord wants you to address.
Are you completely surrendered to just following Him without expectation of
fruit or knowing to what end He is leading? That might take some of the sting
out of the resistance you are feeling. It might also help you to understand if
the things you are feeling are real or if they are just your own fears.
Are you sure of your calling and are you sure of the path
the Lord has led you on? I know you are.
Stay true to your calling in humility. God has given you a certain perspective
and conviction, so lovingly hold to that. There might be a million ways to do
things, but in humility just keep following the convictions He's given you. When resistance comes, show what
the Lord has taught you and convicted you of. It is not until they completely
take away your ability to do what the Lord has placed on your heart that the
point of decision comes. At that point, if they remain fruitless and exist primarily for themselves, well, I know your heart. You’ll know what to do should that point
come. Maybe this is just one more part of the path. At least you’ll go out with
your passion for Jesus alive and your boots on.
I’m sorry about the opposition. No one looks forward to
another beating or challenge, but if you are following the Lord, you take it
for Him. Jesus said if they oppose one
of His, they really oppose Him. And look at beaten and bloody Paul, or Jesus
for that matter. You are no better, and you’re in good company.
I can’t believe you remember that song from Moody radio a
thousand years ago. I fully, emotionally, understand David desiring to be hidden
in the Lord, safe and secure. Here is a version I found that is pretty good.
Nobody listens to this stuff anymore, but done right, it would still hit some
hearts.
I’ll see what I can do about responding to some of the other
things you mentioned. Regarding personal things, I'll just email you, but I think you're right, blogging some of this might be helpful to other makers of disciples.
Hang in there in Christ,
Dan
