He sat alone on the front pew of the little Church God had called him to. It was his first church. He was young with a young family in tow. There was an aire about the small church auditorium with the early morning sunshine streaming in the windows. It was daunting the task before the young minister. He had accepted the churches call for the Pastor, but there was so much against him. The church people were scattered. The community was complacent. The building he sat in was dated and a bit musty. The devil wants him to fail and has set his attack of discouragement over the entire town. How can any kind of hope be found here. The words of Ephesians Chapter 2 began to push through his mind.
Eph 2:1-10 KJV 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
At verse 4 two little words stopped him. “But God”. Those two little words were like a beacon of light to his soul. Other verse of scripture began to flood his mind. The gravity of the task at hand fades in comparrison to the almighty hand of God. The realization began to dawn on him. It was not the church which had called him to this place for this work, “but God”.
Where are you at? Are you struggling because of discouragement? Is the task or the way forward too daunting? Does God not so
vereignly sit on His throne? Are you not in Christ as son/daughter of God? You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Now realize your position in Christ and begin to submit yourself to the plan of God and let God do His work in you and through you. Throw off the chains of doubt and discouragemnet. You cant do this, “But God” can!
God bless you and stay positive.
The Positive Pastor
The Positive Pastor 