Sent Forth To Stay Put

Ecclesiastes 10:4 King James Version (KJV) “If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.”

I was corrected yesterday in a sermon with this scripture.

Several times in the past I left my post because I was uncomfortable or thought that the leadership wasn't using me enough. Or my manager got ugly with me, and I felt it was time to move on. It was a “sign from God". But in reality, I allowed flesh to move me because I was ready to move on. Whether God said so or not. I learned that if God put you somewhere, you need to stay until God releases you. Unless you are being physically abused.

Notice the word “physically”. I didn't say verbally because a lot of times we call things verbal abuse that is just strong instruction or criticism. Of which, if we humble ourselves and listen, we might grow up more. We cannot receive the full blessing God intends for us if we aren't in the right position.

Let's look at another example of staying where God puts us in the face of adversity. Jacob worked for Laban for 20 years. (Read the entire story of Jacobs life in Genesis chapter 25 through chapter 49) He went in with a stick and a sack and left with a great herd of cattle and flocks of sheep and beasts of labor and a full staff of people to take care of them. During those 20 years, though, he had his first wife (Rebekah) switched (with her sister, Leah) during the wedding ceremony. So, he had to work an additional 14 years to get the love of his life (Rebekah).

Then the next 6 years that he worked, his wages were changed repeatedly, but he stayed. Why? Because God never released him. When He did release him, Jacob left a very rich man. God honored him even when Laban tried to cause his ruin and independence.

That's Old Testament. Let’s look at something from New Testament.

We find Jesus walking on the water. (Matthew 14, Mark 6, John 6) Peter sees Him and says, “Lord, bid me to come.” So Jesus said come. Peter jumped out and we all know the account. He walked on water, too! Then he became distracted and began to sink, crying out to Jesus to save him.

Jesus helps Peter back to the boat and says to him, “Peter, why did you doubt? You have such little faith.” Now Peter could have taken offense and said something like, “I didn't see anyone else getting out there. Why don't I get a thank you for attempting this?

“I gave up my business and my family. I gave up all of me and all I get when I try to step out was “you have little faith”. That makes me mad.”

No, he didn't. Peter humbled himself and listened to the critique. And he grew because of it. This lesson lends to the fact that in time, the Word of God says his shadow cast upon some and they were healed of their infirmities! (Acts 5:15) And his prayers even raised someone from the dead. (Acts 9:40)

If you moved too soon, repent. Find out what you are supposed to be doing now and move forward. Pray about every move you make well in advance. Ask God for the timing of the move. Sometimes we are supposed to move but move earlier and miss the full blessing. Or sometimes don't move soon enough and end up in the wrong position to receive the blessing. I've been in both situations.

We had an awesome service with the family at Restorer of Paths Int'l Ministries recently. They are raising up apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, and releasing them into their calling. Unafraid of the true calling and works of the 5-Fold-Ministry. (Ephesians 4:11) You see many ministries say they love and embrace the 5-Fold, but they truly don't even understand it. They say they operate 5-Fold but in actuality they are 2-Fold (pastor and teacher) at best. They are afraid of it because they feel like they would have to release the control they have over their own ministry and those under their ministry. They don't understand it and they don’t respect it. They struggle trying to figure out how to handle the ones that are operating in the offices of their calling. They are afraid of the anointing these ones are operating in and through.

Church leaders listen up! There are people with giftings in your church that need to be lifted up and released. If you want growth in your church, stop being afraid of releasing those that God has called you to raise up. It’s in the releasing does growth come. If you don't sow you can't harvest. Raise them up. Give them room to operate in their callings. Provide the platforms and vehicles for your apostles prophets and evangelists and pastors and teachers. These that are truly called aren't seeking to undermine you or take your ministry away but to come under you as armor bearers and watchmen. They need safe places to operate from until they get the experience to be launched forward. (See my recent blog on this topic called “The Bog”)

A hen will watch over her clutch of eggs, sitting on them until they hatch. Then she will go out with them and allow them room to grow but all the while stand guard over them until they come into full maturity. To go out on their own, the hen has to release them.

The need then being for the ones called, to remain until you are certain God is moving you. Be studious of the Word and the Spirit to recognize the timing. Not too soon, not too slow.

And to those who are the over seers. Your place is very important. Far greater than you realize. As these come before you, father/mother them and understand they are not meant to remain, but to be raised up and sent out. Your responsibility is to be willing, give wisdom, grow them, and see that building the Kingdom of God is more important than retaining your control. Allow them a safe place to try their anointing and walk into that place God has in mind for them.