"...He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' And he arose (jumped?) and followed Him." Matthew 9:9 NKJV
When I felt I had to leave my ordaining denomination I began the loneliest journey of my spiritual life.
The denomination had been my life since my early years. I wasn't angry with them nor had they mistreated me. It was just that over the years my thinking had shifted on some key issues. I had come to know that I could no longer advocate doctrines important to them. Further, I felt that since they had given me a spiritual home and supported my Chaplaincy they had a right to expect me to preach what they believed.
What was I to do? Quitting the ministry was not an option since God's calling was still on my life. Leaving the Chaplaincy was not an option since I dearly loved it and had been successful there.
That left one course of action, to move into a different denomination. But the very idea was scary. I found nothing written on the subject.
Leap of Faith
It was like getting divorced. I worried about losing friends and disappointing family. And I fretted over having to start over halfway through my life and ministry. It would require a leap of faith.
So I set about making the arrangements. I decided on the church that I would like to join. I coordinated every detail of leaving one church and entering another. I was on my way to see the Bishop yet I was fearful of the future. Tormented by indecision! I was about ready to give it all up and just go home.
Then I saw the dove.
The bird was walking up and down the edge of the large swimming pool at the motel where I was staying in San Antonio. Texas was in the midst of a terrible drought so I assumed the bird was thirsty.
Every few feet the dove would bend down, to see if it could reach the water. It did it over and over. It was cute. Funny. It reminded me of the plastic doggy in the rear window of the car in front wobbling his head back and forth. I stood transfixed.
What would the dove do?
Finally he jumped into the pool, got himself a drink, then flew away. I had never seen a dove do such a thing!
I began to hear a message from the Holy Spirit, deep inside me. There are times that it is okay to walk up and down the edge of a decision: for waiting, soul searching, contemplating, and for prayer. But there comes a time when you have to jump.
As I stood there by the pool, mouth open, scratching my head, I made a leap of faith. I made my final decision to transfer into the different denomination. It wasn't easy, and took two full years. But succeeding years and experiences have validated the decision that I made there at the pool.
Listen to the Holy Spirit's cooing. It may be time for you to jump!
Discussion Questions:
From the book, Hello God! by Henry Lamar Hunt. Lamar lives in Candler FL and can be reached via email.