WHEN GOD ASKS YOU TO LEAVE SOMETHING GOOD
A very hard thing I’ve had to do in ministry was step away from something I absolutely loved.
I loved the people. I loved serving. I was comfortable there, and I knew what I was doing. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, so when I started feeling it heavy on my heart that God was asking me to move, I struggled.
And when I say struggled, I mean I cried at the altar asking Him to let me stay.
I kept praying about it and talking with women I trusted. This was something I wrestled with for a long time. I wanted to be obedient, but goodness gracious, I was scared. I worried about failing, looking foolish, and what people would think. I kept asking, “Lord, are You sure? ”
I think part of me wanted Him to give me an answer that would let me keep doing what I wanted to do.
That’s hard to admit, especially when what you want to do is something good.
But following Jesus means continuing to listen, even after we’ve said yes to something. A place He has used us in can be something we’re grateful for and still something He asks us to release.
Paul and his companions were traveling to share the gospel, but the Holy Spirit kept them from going into certain places. They eventually understood that God was calling them toward Macedonia. They were doing good work, and they still needed His direction about where to go.
So hear me on this, loving what I was doing didn’t answer every question about where God was leading me.
Eventually, after a lot of prayer and some honest conversations with my leader, I stepped away from that role. I stayed connected to my church and continued serving. What changed was where I served.
I had peace about the decision, but stepping into something unfamiliar was uncomfortable. I was having to trust the Lord with what came next instead of staying with what I already knew.
Then, I got to watch someone else step into the place I had left.
And that did something to my heart.
I could see God working in her life, too. While I had been struggling with what leaving meant for me, there was another person with her own walk with the Lord and her own next step to take.
Getting to witness that was beautiful. The work had always belonged to Him. I was thankful I’d gotten to be part of it, and now, I could celebrate what He was doing through someone else.
God gives His people different gifts, and He uses us to love and serve people in different ways. That experience helped me see that a change could make room for someone else to use what He had given her, while I followed Him into something different, too.
I don’t know everything God was doing through that transition, and I still don’t know all that He is doing in me. But I’m thankful I got to see that part.
It has made me more willing to ask, “Lord, is this still where You want me? Am I holding on because You’re asking me to stay, or because I’m scared to move?” Those questions are personal for me even today.
There have been times when I’ve had to admit, “I don’t need any more confirmation. I need courage.”
I’ve also had to let Him check my motives.
A while back, Facebook was acting up while I was trying to schedule posts. I was determined to get it working, and I felt convicted to consider whether I would be that determined to spend time in God’s Word.
Talk about pounding on your heart when you start checking that type of motive.
So, I just took a break for a couple of days and spent time praying. I wanted to make sure I was sharing to glorify Him. Was I doing it because the Lord wanted me to, or was I getting caught up in what my flesh enjoyed? Was I hoping people would see Jesus, or was I wanting them to notice me?
Those are uncomfortable questions, but I needed to bring them before Him.
I did keep writing. I’ve asked Him to use what He’s brought me through to help somebody else and point them to Jesus. That’s my prayer when I serve too. Scripture calls us to use the gifts we’ve been given to serve one another, and I want to be faithful with mine.
I don’t know what your yes looks like right now. Maybe it’s serving at church, helping feed people at a shelter, pouring into children in your community, or caring for someone who needs you. Wherever you are, keep seeking the Lord there.
A hard day doesn’t automatically mean it’s time to leave. Feeling uncomfortable doesn’t always mean you’re in the wrong place. Sometimes faithfulness means staying and working through something. Sometimes it means changing where we serve. There can be seasons of needed rest too. We need wisdom to know the difference, and we can ask God for it.
Spend time in Scripture. Pray honestly. Let trusted, Godly people speak into your life—people who will encourage you, tell you the truth, and give you room to seek the Lord without rushing you. Keep being faithful with what He has given you. When it’s time for a change, have the conversations that need to happen and love people well through it.
And if you’re scared, tell Jesus.
You don’t have to hide that part from Him. I certainly haven’t. He has heard the tears, the questions, and plenty of “Lord, are You sure?” from me.
If you’ve been putting off a step you believe He’s asking you to take, you can bring that to Him, too. Ask for wisdom. Ask for courage. You can come honestly, even if you’ve already backed away before.
Jesus is the One we’re following through all of this. Our relationship with Him goes deeper than any position we hold or place we serve. He gave His life for us and rose again so we could be reconciled to God. Because of Him, we can draw near and ask for help.
I’m grateful for His patience with me. I’m grateful He met me while I was struggling to let go. And I’m grateful I got to see Him at work in someone else’s life when I did.
And I’m still asking Him to help me trust Him with whatever comes next.
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