Change is hard. I don’t like it. Even when it’s for good reasons. Even when the things that God is leading me away from are good.
I have spent the last 10+ years in church lay leadership in various ministries. It has been an amazing ride and I have learned so much from others and through those ministries. It has been fulfilling and thrilling at times. There are so many opportunities that I have been given. But there are times when it hasn’t been thrilling or fulfilling. And let’s just be completely honest, church leadership is hard and sometimes relationships are strained because of it.
But I started to hear God asking me if it was fulfilling because I was looking for the approval of others? Was I doing it so I could tell others how busy I was or how much I was doing for Him and the church? Do I enjoy hearing people say “You are going to have so many jewels in your crown in Heaven.” Is that what it’s all about? Will I be able to stand up with all those jewels weighing me down? Am I concentrating on godly works but failing to spend time with the One who deserves all the glory?
During the tough times what were my motivations for continuing? Am I just giving up by quitting? Am I blaming others for my dissatisfaction?
And the big question – was I really doing it to further His Kingdom? I wish I could say I was doing everything for His Kingdom all the time, but the reality is that my type A personality likes to be busy and I like to accomplish things. There is a sense of satisfaction in bringing a program or activity to fruition. Especially if everyone likes it. But the reality is that my personal walk had suffered. The urgent had taken over the important. My quiet time suffered, my relationship with my husband and children suffered and being totally honest again, those ministries probably suffered.
I am in the process of stepping down from my “corporate” church leadership roles. In some ways it has been easy (and a relief) and in some ways it has been harder. There are areas that I have invested so much time and energy and I feel “ownership” of them. But those areas belong to God and only He owns them. Not me. In some cases I am passing on the torch to very capable hands but in others I have stepped down with no one to lead. I am trusting God that He will provide leadership for those areas or He will show clearly what needs to happen.
So what is God calling me to next? I’ll save that for another post. But for now, I am clinging to Psalm 28:7 these days trusting and praising God for what He is teaching me right now and for what He has planned for the future.
