Kurt and I once had a dear friend who was an extremely gifted communicator of God’s Word. He loved to pour over the Scriptures, disecting every verse. He became a student of Hebrew and Greek. A regular listener to well-known pastors on the radio, this man formed opinions about differing theological positions and styles. God opened the door for him in several small churches to teach Sunday School, fill the pulpit on occasion and during one period God placed him in full-time ministry as a senior pastor of a struggling inner-city congregation.
Unfortunately, this man envisioned himself on a larger stage. Through the years he became disgruntled with these assignments that were seemingly beneath his talent level. He bounced from one lay-ministry situation to another in a hurried search for bigger and better. Over time, a spirit of bitterness set in and we observed that this man who once displayed such potential for the Kingdom, lived life almost completely cut off from the body of Christ.
In Acts 1:21-26 we find the disciples huddled together, waiting as Jesus commanded on the promised Helper, continually devoting themselves to prayer. In their last moments with Christ before His ascension they pelted Him with questions: “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Displaying their impatience for big things, they longed to know the plan. They were ready, or so they thought, to get on with the good stuff.
Jesus answered them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).
Put it in park, boys. Your first assignment is to . . . wait . . . wait and pray; you can do some of that.
Then Jesus returned to the Father.
Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for impulsive Peter, the designated point man for this unique brother and sisterhood, to hold tight?
Impatience is a problem for all of us. Not just for our gifted ministry friend and not just for Peter. We all want to know more than we need to know on this spiritual journey and often we want to get going now even if it means stepping out ahead of the Leader.
At one point in this extended prayer meeting described for us in Acts one, Peter can’t remain seated any longer. He stands up in front of this group of 120 folks and calls a ministry meeting to order. First item of business: fill Judas Iscariot’s spot.
It’s informative to notice that both of the guys they considered for this recognizable position of leadership had to, ” . . . have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us – beginning with the baptism of John, until the day that He was taken up from us . . .” (Acts 1:21-22).
In other words, they weren’t interested in thrusting some new guy into this place of influence, no matter how talented he may have been. When the disciples put forward their candidates for a partner in ministry they chose two men who demonstrated faithful character as they walked day by day with Jesus over a long period of time. Proven leadership. Servant leadership. Out of the spotlight. Following Christ even though they hadn’t originally been chosen as one of the twelve.
Here’s a valuable lesson: If you want to be used by God, be faithful right where you are. Let him worry about what happens down the road.
Kurt and I tried our best to encourage our sweet friend to stay the course and serve well wherever God planted him. Our encouragement, however, fell on rocky ground. We were never able to convince him to be faithful in the little so God could one day entrust him with much. Today, it breaks our hearts to say that we don’t even know where this friend is. We have lost touch with him completely.
God places His children on assignment with purpose. Our role is never too small or insignificant to be greatly used for His glory if that’s our goal. One of the best ways to prepare for greater impact is to live faithfully right now, right where we are!
Kristen, thank you so much for sharing about waiting. This post has touched me and encouraged me more than you know. Thanks for allowing God to use you!
Hi Kristen,
As I was reading this I realized that I am too focused on speaking the right way or being eloquent with my tongue, all the while missing out on the genuineness and heart of God’s message. I am so grateful God placed me in the seat across from you at WFIA at the beginning of this journey. I also realize that the Holy Spirit will translate for me to those He wants to hear the message as taken from your other blog post. I wish I would have read this earlier but it’s no accident I am reading it now. This post was great and reiterated the fact that it doesn’t have to be a big stage. God is at work everywhere!!! Thank you for your ministry.