20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.
Sometimes you have to say “No” to a good thing. Paul was busy preaching and teaching. His audience asked him to stay longer and he said “No.” I know for myself, when things are going well, I don’t want to stop and move on to the next task. I like success. I like fruitful ministry. Many people take fruitful ministry as the signal to stay put, to not move on. Paul could have easily stayed there. He didn’t have a plane to catch. He had no manager keeping him on a tight schedule. And yet, he still said “No” and moved on to the next place. Paul must have been receiving instructions from someone other than these students he was teaching and with whom he was sharing his life. Paul knew directly from the Holy Spirit that he needed to move to the next place. He was on higher orders. His agenda was a divine agenda. Earthly plans had to take a back seat to God’s plans. I enjoy my present ministry tremendously, but I know it is preparing me for an even greater ministry in the future. I don’t think I am going to be a mega-pastor. I really don’t want that. I think I will be preparing people for greater ministry, perhaps at the collegiate level. I don’t know the exact shape of that ministry, but I do know it is out there. I could get comfortable in my current spot. I could stay and stagnate, but I know there is more beyond this current assignment. I am sure people would ask me to stay, but I must be willing to move on, if I am going to stay centered on God’s will. Do you need to let go of areas of ministry in your life? Is God calling you to move out of your comfort zone and into new stretching ministry? Has God been pushing you from your comfortable nest, offering you a chance to grow? Have you been wanting to stay comfortable rather than listen to the direction of God?
The Arnold Journey 