Don’t Walk Off The Job

1 posted on February 1, 2008

POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Church, Church Planting

I love this verse!

“Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.” (2 Corinthians 4:1 – The Message)

As a church planter I know for sure that there are hard times ahead but this isn’t just for those of us who are launching a new church.

Ever day…

Fathers walk off the job and leave their families
Friends walk off the job and abandon relationships
Writers walk off the job when the thought of finishing the book overwhelms them
Business Leaders walk off the job when the deadlines loom
Pastors walk off the job when they can’t take the pressure

Sometimes I need to be reminded that the “occasional hard times” I run into are just that: occasional. They’re not worth giving up for. God’s plan for my life, my family and the church He’s going to plant through me is so much bigger than the occasional hardships I’m going to face along the way.

Have you been tempted to walk off the job? What helps you keep your focus?

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 10:07 am and is filed under Blog Posts, Church, Church Planting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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February 1, 2008

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1 Kassie said:

Good post, Brad. I really thought the 3rd bullet point was going to be something about “writers walking off the job and leaving TV viewers hanging” or something. Ha ha!

One thing that has helped me recently, and I’m not sure why it popped back in my head, is a pretty old song by Steve Green:
“He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it.” (variation on Phil 1:5-7 I think.)
Here are the lyrics:
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He’ll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you’re facing
Is slowly replacing your hope
With despair
Or the process is long
And you’re losing your song
In the night
You can be sure that the Lord
Has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you
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February 1, 2008

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2 bradruggles said:

Kassie,

Great observation. I do remember that song by Steve Green (from WAAAAAYYYY back when). It’s been a while since I read the lyrics. Those are some good reminders!

Thanks,

Brad

bradruggles’s last blog post..Jazz Dispute
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February 1, 2008

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3 Pat Rowland said:

Not recently, but there have been many days. Quiting seems so much easier sometimes, however, enduring those tough times has made my character, marriage, and relationships stronger. Thanks for the reminder Brad!
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March 27, 2008

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4 Kevin said:

Great blog Brad! I’m currently working on a documentary that follows a fairly recent church plant and am telling their story. I ran across your blog and really appreciated the thoughts you’ve been sharing. Obviously you’re realizing the challenge but are going ahead anyway. I was especially happy to hear that you’ve made your family a high priority because I recently interviewed the pastor who started the church and his marriage and family life really got rocked during the birthing stage (thankfully they’ve stayed together). Anyway, keep writing about the process. God bless!