God’s Been There Done That
God, I can’t afford to give up the security of my profession to answer your call unless you can be more specific about what’s ahead.
That’s what Abram said when I called him and Sarai to leave their country, kindred, father’s house and land. (Gen 12:1)
God, I’m too young and I lack the courage to be a good pastor..
That’s what Jeremiah said when I wanted him to call the nation to repentance. I’m only a boy and I am afraid. (Jeremiah 1:7-8)
God, I’m not a good speaker and pastors have to be eloquent.
That’s what Moses said when I asked him to go and persuade Pharaoh. “I have never been eloquent . . . I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Ex.4:10)
God, I’m not a leader and could never get enough people to follow me to be effective.
That’s what Gideon said and I told him that if he had a large army and defeated the enemy, they would brag about how good they were and never give me credit. I like working through people who everyone says aren’t capable. (Judges 7:2)
God, I’m not a good enough person to be a pastor. Pastors should be people beyond reproach.
That’s what Isaiah said when I called him but I had an angel touch him and said “your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” (Isaiah 6:7)
God, you must be in error. I rejected the church a long time ago.
That’s what Saul said when I met him on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1 ff )
God, maybe you don’t understand how the world works. You have to have a position of power and wealth if you are going to make a difference.
You mean Jesus was in error when he said to his disciples, “I’m sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.”? (Luke 10:3-4)
God, I don’t have the wisdom to debate all those skeptics out there. What would I say to convince them of the truth?
So let me get this straight, you don’t know the future, consider yourself too young, lack courage, get tongue tied when you speak, don’t know how to lead others, lack high moral qualities, and have been a visible opponent of my church. Sounds just like the type of person I can work with.
I’m giving you just one piece of advice. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Excerpted from A Company of Pastors: An Antidote to loneliness in the pastorate, to be released on Amazon in September, 2014.
