Lessons Learned in 3-D: Resignation
This week has been gut wrenchingly hard. My pastor’s resignation has left my whole church grieving. I’ve experienced so many emotions — heartbreak, confusion, despair, and anger. When someone you love and respect disappoints you, I think it’s easy to become callous and bitter. If you don’t turn to Jesus, you tend to “resign” yourself to defeat.
This week, I was reminded that God is sovereign. No matter what happens — my foundation is sure. As I lean into Him, I can move forward with hope and confidence because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Here are 5 lessons I learned this week through the sadness:
1. I am called to live a crucified life. Bob Franquiz reminded me that “You are only accountable as you want to be… No amount of accountability can replace a heart that is right with God.”
2. I should be grateful for my disillusionment with man and move toward greater intimacy with Christ. I need to understand that my brothers and sisters are human. I love how Sarah Bessey explained this:
It’s freedom for the disillusioned because now we get to enjoy the richness of relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit without any intermediary or filter. I get to follow Jesus, not you. I get to be part of community that is rich and full.”
3. Rob Hoskins encouraged me to always walk in grace:
However justifying or soothing that feeling of condescension might be as it wells up within you, I urge you to identify it and dismiss it for what it is—a Satanic ploy to destroy you and the body of Christ. Any joyful inclination that one might feel in the failure of another is in itself a moral failure.
4. I don’t need to know the details of someone else’s sin — even if that person is a public figure. Pat Seiler said it well:
It’s a good time to examine your conversations and desire for information.
We don’t need to know details; we don’t need to spread what we know. If you do, are you gossiping? Consider this verse: “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.”
5. The enemy is subtle and patient. I need to put my armor on daily. Ron Edmonson explained:
Stand guard. If we ever believe we are above temptation we have opened the door for the enemies prowl to be effective. Most of the time it begins subtly. No one wakes up in a single day and thinks about destroying their personal life. It happens gradually over time.
Q4U: What did you learn this week?
I am sharing “Resignation” and joining like-minded sisters this weekend at Saturday Linky Love, The Weekend Brew, Whatever is Lovely, Five on Friday, Random Five Fridays, Friday Finds, Women of Worship and The Friday Five.
Learning the same lessons you are my friend.
Hugs, my sister. Our God is greater.
Oh my gosh Lyli, a hard week and yet look at all the nuggets of treasure the Lord brought across your path. May we be mindful to learn in these difficult times & hold onto Him! Praying!
Thanks, Joanne. I’m reminded that pearls of wisdom are often grown in the shell of suffering.
Dear Lyli … I am so sorry for this tragic upheaval in your community and the raw pain in your heart. May you feel the Spirit’s gentle strengthening as you walk through this grief.
This is hard stuff. You are in the hands of The Healer, sweet friend. I am praying …
Thank you, sweet Linda. We gathered together for a beautiful service of prayer and worship on Wednesday, and my heart left encouraged. God is still on the throne.
I’m so sorry that you and your church are going through this. Recently, I have seen several Christian communities rocked by a leader’s stepping down and the pain and confusion is so raw.
Like Linda said, you know The Healer and it is only He that can fix this.
((((Lyli))))
Thanks, Elizabeth. I am looking forward to the Day when we leave sin behind once and for all. Aren’t you? 🙂
Lyli, I am so sorry you are going through this. Praying for you tonight as I read this.
Thanks, Carol. It’s a blessing to have praying sisters. Hugs
I needed to read this today, Lyli. Thank you for your vulnerability and sincerity.
I am glad to hear that, Ingrid. 🙂
I’m sorry for what your church is going through right now. I will pray for restoration, for this pastor, and for your church family. I am thankful that God spoke to your heart through the words of many this week. Blessings!
Thanks for those prayers, Barbie. There is power in those prayers, and we need them.
Lyli, I’m so encouraged by what you have written here. I can see God drawing you closure to Him through this tragedy. Continuing to pray for peace and unity. Have a blessed week.
Thanks, June. You are such an encourager. 🙂
Wow, Lyli, this is a tough one. Our church went through a similar situation over 10 years ago. It was like watching someone’s heart get ripped out of their chest. But staying with the church because of Jesus and not because of the Pastors was a good decision for us.
It sound like God is showing you the same thing.
Your leaning into Jesus can only be good.
Yes, Jody! I am so thankful for the response of our church family — they are looking to the Lord with love and humility and unity.
Big sigh here, Lyli. I can imagine you’ve shed a lot of tears. So hard. Praying right now for you, your congregation, your pastor, and your pastor’s family.
Love to you., friend.
Thanks, Sandy. God has been meeting us in the sadness and reminding us that He weeps with us.
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