What is a challenge to your faith? We were instructed to choose a partner and ask this question to one another in a Bible class recently. At first, I was a little stumped by it. When my partner asked me, I drew a blank and then proceeded to answer, “nothing.” “Nothing” was my initial response but then I self-corrected and shared a challenge that I had forgotten about but that it has not forgotten me. It’s a challenge that just lingers in the shadows and every-so-often will reveal itself in the most opportune moments. Usually, it’s when I am in the pits of self-doubt.
Would I still follow Jesus if I wasn’t a pastor/preacher?
I have been employed by a church for nearly twenty years. My faith and my vocation are inextricably connected. I think about Jesus and his church constantly. My prayers are immersed in the needs of my local church, leadership, and staff. My biblical studies are tied to content development and even if they did not originate for the purpose of sharing what I have discovered with the church where I serve, it eventually is taught because I just can’t wait to share what I’ve experienced.
Most of my social structures are enmeshed in my church body. My wages come from the church I serve. My vocation provides me a platform to lead and equip others.
What would happen if I no longer served as a pastor?
…
I think I know because I trust in the sustaining faithfulness of God.
I know what it’s like to have a ministry taken away. And I prayed and trusted in him and leaned upon his anointing and his calling.
My past experience of God’s provision and deliverance help me to predict the answer to my aforementioned faith challenge.
How might your past experience of God’s grace in your life help you predict how he might deliver you from any and all challenges to your faith?
Jesus, I want to love you so much that if your anointing were removed, if my calling to preach in vocational ministry ceased to exist, still, I will follow you.
May it be always you Jesus and nothing else.
What about you? What is a challenge to your faith?
What is something you really on so strongly that if it were removed could potentially birth a faith crisis in your life?
Will you pray this right now so that your faith in Jesus may be strengthened?
“May it be always you Jesus and nothing else.”
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Jovan preaches for the Littleton Church of Christ near Denver, Colorado. Visit here to listen to sermons preached at the Littleton Church.