In light of yesterday's post, I thought I'd share one of my litmus tests when it comes to discerning the will of God. I think the will of God is like a double-lock. You need to feel called to something. That's the first lock. But you also need to feel released from where you are or what you're doing. That is the second lock.
Here's where it gets complicated. Feeling called to and released from don't always happen simultaneously. In fact, they rarely do! If you feel called to something, but don't feel released from where you are, then you need to stay put. And God will honor your faithfulness! Where it gets even tougher, emotionally and spiritually, is when you feel released from something, but you don't know what God wants you to do next. It's like spiritual no-man's land. And that is when you need the courage to take a step of faith.
I remember reading a story about Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate in the 1940's, before he moved to DC to assume the pastorate of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. He was approached by their search committee and asked to serve as their pastor. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. And he felt called. But he didn't feel released from he was. So he said "no."
This is an excerpt from the letter he sent to the chairman of the search committee.
While realizing that no man's work is ever finished, I am persuaded that there yet remains much work which I am to do at Westminster [the church he pastored in Atlanta]. I could not conscientiously say that I have done all that I could have done here.
I feel furthermore, that I am not yet ready for the responsibilities and the dignities which would be mine as minister of the New York Avenue Church. I am too young, too immature, too lacking in scholarship, experience, wisdom, and ability for such a high position.
God has not yet indicated that I am to leave here. I am aware, and keenly conscious of the call to Washington, but not, as yet, of any call away from Atlanta.
For the record, the search committee couldn't find a better candidate so they doubled-back eleven months later. At that time, Peter Marshall felt released from his current pastorate. He not only served at New York Avenue, but it opened the door to become chaplain to the U.S. Senate.
Peter Marshall once said, "a call of God is a two-sided call--there is a call 'to' a work, and there is a call 'from' the present work."
Here's where it gets complicated. Feeling called to and released from don't always happen simultaneously. In fact, they rarely do! If you feel called to something, but don't feel released from where you are, then you need to stay put. And God will honor your faithfulness! Where it gets even tougher, emotionally and spiritually, is when you feel released from something, but you don't know what God wants you to do next. It's like spiritual no-man's land. And that is when you need the courage to take a step of faith.
I remember reading a story about Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate in the 1940's, before he moved to DC to assume the pastorate of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. He was approached by their search committee and asked to serve as their pastor. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. And he felt called. But he didn't feel released from he was. So he said "no."
This is an excerpt from the letter he sent to the chairman of the search committee.
While realizing that no man's work is ever finished, I am persuaded that there yet remains much work which I am to do at Westminster [the church he pastored in Atlanta]. I could not conscientiously say that I have done all that I could have done here.
I feel furthermore, that I am not yet ready for the responsibilities and the dignities which would be mine as minister of the New York Avenue Church. I am too young, too immature, too lacking in scholarship, experience, wisdom, and ability for such a high position.
God has not yet indicated that I am to leave here. I am aware, and keenly conscious of the call to Washington, but not, as yet, of any call away from Atlanta.
For the record, the search committee couldn't find a better candidate so they doubled-back eleven months later. At that time, Peter Marshall felt released from his current pastorate. He not only served at New York Avenue, but it opened the door to become chaplain to the U.S. Senate.
Peter Marshall once said, "a call of God is a two-sided call--there is a call 'to' a work, and there is a call 'from' the present work."
15 Comments:
Great post! This principal is SO important, but it seems too often unheeded. I've seen too many people walk-away from something just because something new came-up... I've also seen a number of people jump too quickly into something new after being released from where they were.
Great advice!
Great advice Mark. That tension in between is hard, but the rewards are there for patience.
Blessings
Wow. I've been here, and have really experienced it, but never really put it in words. Having the words really puts the mishmash in my brain into a right perspective. Thanks!
Having made a recent transition this post is very helpful in putting that season into perspective. Thanks for sharing.
Best advice I ever received on this issue was, "Don't quit doing what your doing until you get new marching orders. Silence is not permission to quit or leave."
Excellent thoughts, Mark. Thanks!
>>Best advice I ever received on this issue was, "Don't quit doing what your doing until you get new marching orders. Silence is not permission to quit or leave."<<
Definitely some good advice here, Steve. On the other hand, sometimes one is clearly released from one place without yet knowing where the next place is (think Abraham, for one). That's when the fun (*cough! cough!*) really begins! :)
Yes, but not knowing and not having marching orders are two different issues. Abraham didn't know where he was going, but he did have new marching orders - come out from among them. It is a tough place to be in when you are released, but don't know the next place. However, being released is new marching orders. I just find too many folks want to walk away with no new marching orders (release). They just want out because God has been silent for so long. They run ahead of God.
Does being 'released' mean that people around you are happy about it?
I recently felt it was time to move on (leave my church) and I'm now in the process of finding where God wants us to be. I would not have left my church if I didn't feel strongly enough that God was prompting me to.
However, I did not exactly get the blessing of church staff if you know I what I mean.
Mark,
Great stuff! I once felt released for an entire year but didn't know where I was called. Talk about frustrating. But it was also enlightening. I learned a tremendous lesson on God's timing and not rushing things. Looking back I can see that God was orchestrating things like a great conductor.
Rusty
Mark, great post, thanks a perfect hit for me today. I have been released but not received the next call. No mans land is a very interesting state to be in. But God is really helping through this time. I find myself excited about what he wants me to do next and am very confident it will be what he needs me the most for. Oh and thanks for Wild Goose Chase, I loved it and it has been very helpful.
great post Mark. I needed this today as I am praying about transitions.
Such good advice. Such a good time for me to hear it. You know, you crank out wisdom like its on tap or something. Thanks for the tall glass.
Important principle and one that should be branded on our heart. I felt called to plant a church, but was happy where I was at. I could not figure it out. What I was not aware of is that God was incubating the vision inside of me to the point where 1 1/2 years later, a supernatural door opened and we were able to plant. NEVER discount the incubation period. Thanks Mark!
Mark,
Thanks.
great post. It's had me thinking for several days.
Blessings for your obedience to write this stuff,
Curtis
Post a Comment
<< Home