Have you ever stuggled with someone in your church or community asking you to do a job you feel almost compelled to say yes to? I have. This week, within the space of ten minutes, my husband and I were asked by two people to undertake two different jobs within our church. We’ve been thinking for a while about what tasks God has for us in this new church. A couple of thoughts had surfaced but no clear direction, so we were still praying through the issue.
Then the two phone calls came. In each case we found out what was required and promised we’d get back to them with a decision. Meanwhile we prayed God would make clear to us what to do.
The fact there was a need in both cases was not the criteria. We feel we must be called by God to a specific ministry and that we have to listen to what God is telling us and be obedient. If we take on a task God is not calling us to, then we are stopping the person God does want to do it from obeying God.
The two jobs did not conflict. There was no reason we could not do both. But should we?
After prayer, we talked it through and reached a decision. One of the tasks we felt, with God’s help, we could do. The other, was definitely not where God what God was calling us to. God gave us clear reasons why we were not the right ones for that job. Meanwhile God had been prompting us about another area of ministry. We decided to find out more about that.
We rang each of the people concerned with our decision, which was really God’s decision. Did we feel guilt at saying ‘no’ to one of the tasks? Not a bit. Each of us needs to learn to say ‘no,’ and not feel pressured into taking on tasks God has NOT called us to. When we pray, we expect God to answer. In our case, it was clear to us He had.
So we did the job we had agreed to. God blessed us with words of encouragement from so many people in our church. Do you think to encourage your minister for a challenging sermon? Or your musicians for their commitment each week, or those who read the Bible passage, lead the prayers or help out in the kitchen for morning tea? A little praise and encouragement can make people feel good and instill in them confidence that they are in the right place, doing what God wants them to.
The task we refused we felt no guilt about, only a peace. We are sure God will provide the right people for that job. And what about the task God laid on our hearts that no-one else in the church had mentioned. After initial inquiries it looks like we will take that on too. But more about that another time.
So, next time you are asked to do something in church, don’t let need be the only criteria. Pray about it and see if this is what God is calling you to. After all, God promises wisdom to those who ask him for it, James 1:5. All you have to do is ask in faith, secure that God will guide you, verse 6. And He does. I know, because he guided us.
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