Dear pastor Rene
Don’t throw in the towel
Dear Brother /Sister
I understand the way you feel now because I myself have ever felt that way, however I am still hanging on and pursuing the call, hence I strongly counsel you not to throw in the towel, why?
1. Paul the Apostle felt the same way you feel when Demas forsook him, Alexander did great harm to his ministry and no single believer showed up to sympathise when he was charged in court not for theft but for the sake of the gospel, understandably God alone never abandoned the Apostle (1Tim.4:9,14,16,17) He never gave up on God
2. David must have felt worst than you do when his on trusted lieutenants turned against him threatening to stone him at a moment of crisis, he only strengthened himself in the Lord (1Sam.30.6) I pray that you get strength from the Lord to carry on my brother.
3. Moses must have felt like you do when God made him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt into the promised land and they ended in a tight fix as the Red sea blocked them in front and the Egyptians pursued them from behind. Which way was it safe? run back and face danger from the sword or jump by faith into the red sea because God said go? Praise God, he made the Israelites to walk on dry land through the Red sea and sung victorious songs on the other side of the river. You shall cross over my brother.
4. Finally brother I am in a similar shoe like yours brother, when God spoke to me I just resigned my job and became a full time pastor, God had given me vision to start a new ministry but for the transition I first joined a big Church with about 300adults in attendance as an associate pastor, I was much loved and appreciated by the flock. However I felt restrained to fulfill what God had really put in my heart when he called me hence after six months I was officially blessed by that Church and released to open “Manna of Heaven Ministries” in collaboration with three other pastors.
It’s now two years the progress of the work is not as I expected, every time I feel like quitting, I feel something just pulling me back and God sends his messengers to me with urgent messages of encouragement, I am holding on still believing that He will show up one day and change the tide in our favor.
I have no job and yet the small church with about 8adults and 60childtren in this poor part of Northern Uganda cannot give adequately to support the ministry, hence I have to endeavor to meet 90 percent of the Church budget and the family need as well. The rent is in arrears by six months, but the landlord and local government leaders does not want us to leave the area as I had wanted to do and use part of my home compound for a temporary shelter, the electricity is cut off due to unpaid bills and we have to use a generator amidst high fuel prices.
However we are holding on, I am sure our God will soon show up, strong and mighty and the ancient gates shall fling open in Jesus name.
I advice you not to develop any bitter root, forgive those who have betrayed you and ask God to help you keep loving them, There is no guilt in pursuing God’ds call, therefore rebuke that spirit in Jesus name. Remember perfect love drives out all fear.
Stay focused on the vision and look upward and away from the awkward circumstances. For our God is a mighty God, greater than the storms.