I have recently made a very difficult decision.
It is difficult because there are so many people to consider and
emotions have run high. Many parts of the outcome are uncertain and
the consequences are monumental. The sheer amount of information to
be processed in coming to the conclusion is huge and my own
reluctance to surrender something that means so much to me makes my
soul ache.
In spite of all these difficulties, I have come to the decision
that my time as pastor of Crossroads has come to an end. My talents
and gifts as a church planter have been well spent in this
wonderful town and invested into precious people. The impact in
lives through many contexts for serving is immeasurable. Now this
wonderful church needs a different type of pastor to shepherd these
wonderful people to the next level. Any who read this column are
invited to my final service at Crossroads, this Sunday, 10 a.m. It
will be followed by a reception and celebration of God’s goodness
in the founding years.
For all of us, every day is filled with decisions. Some are
large and others seem inconsequential. We decide when we are going
to get out of bed and what we are going to wear. Questions will be
asked and we will have to decide how to answer. It might be
difficult to decide which invitations to accept or decline to lunch
or dinner or to go over to the neighbors for the evening.
A few of the decisions in life are only made once. Who will I
marry? Are we ready to have children? Should I have the surgery?
Will we put mom and dad in a nursing home?
Faith, education, careers and finances are filled with decisions
that affect us for years to come and defines the direction that
determines the course of our lives.
Faith is based upon the foundation of decision. What or who will
you believe in? That is why the magazine of the renowned
evangelist, Billy Graham is titled “Decision” and his radio show is
called, “The Hour of Decision.” The time comes for every person to
decide what he or she will do with God’s grace – accept it or pass
it by.
In churches all over our communities, in a variety of ways,
people are challenged to make decisions that affect their belief
systems and establish the foundation for every other decision they
will be required to make. Since these decisions are so important,
many opportunities to receive counsel, guidance or instruction are
provided for people of all ages. Most sermons are ended with a
moment of decision.
The Old Testament of the Holy Scriptures records the words of
Joshua to the Israelites. He had allocated much of the Promised
Land to them and immediately afterwards said, “Choose this day who
you will serve. … But as for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord.” Not only was this an ancient challenge in an extreme
situation, but also it is a daily decision we all must make. Who
will you serve?
When we are going through the challenges of making a difficult
decision we can turn to the church to help us find the inspiration
and revelation to make the right choice. Perhaps it will be
revealed during a sermon or class or through the wise counsel of an
elder or pastor. They, like I do, will know the agony of making a
difficult decision and will be empathetic as you make
yours.
I remember when a young man came to talk to me one day about a
beautiful young girl he was dating. He so wanted to make the right
decision that he sought counsel. “Should I propose to her,” he
asked. After I met her I simply responded, “Are you kidding me?
What are you waiting for?” Today they are parents of two beautiful
children and a wonderful family.
Good decisions produce great results even when it is painful
making them. I trust God to bless my painful decision for both the
church and my family and I recommend the Scriptures and the church
to anyone who is wrestling with a life changing decision.