What happens next?

Over recent months I have been called to take time out from my role as pastor at SBC. Had it been anyone but God doing the calling, I would have told them where to go! But "The Boss" has made it quite clear through my daily quite times, through Scripture, through circumstances, through friends near and far, that my season at SBC was coming to a close. I have to say that I struggled with this for a few weeks, but when other "symptoms" started to appear and I acknowledged it and accepted it, I was almost overwhelmed by the peace "that passes all understanding"!

I found it tremendously difficult to talk about it in church and on a number of occassions could not finish the sentence because of the sadness I felt, and yet I knew that I had to do it! There have been times I would have gladly passed the batton and retire to the bench, but now wasn't one of them. However, we have to be obedient and do what the Lord asks of us, so it was out of odebience for Him and in the knowledge that it was His church and He knows what He is doing, that I stood down. There is a new season coming, both for SBC and for me and my family, and now we trust in Him.

A wise old friend of mine told me that a sabbatical is not the time to seek what God wanted of you next, but just to seek God. That has really "struck a chord" with me because, somehow, in the busyness of life, church meetings/visits, preparation, family etc., my relationship with God had become "par for the course". Now don't get me wrong, I have an active prayer life and trust in God for His guidance and His strength and accept that it is His power that enables me to minister, but the voyage of personal discovery with God had taken a "back seat" - the" business" side of ministry taking priority. I suppose I didn't realise just how much until now!

It has been just over two weeks since my last service, and I now feel a great hole in my life, and my objective is to fill it full of God. Now for those of you reading this that don't believe in God, or do not yet have a personal relationship with Him will not understand this, but I am excited at the propect of rediscovering an intimacy with God that dispells all doubt and fear: an intimacy that seems to surrounds you and goes with you where ever He sends you. It affirms the knowledge and experience of a loving God that makes life whole!

I hope to share my experiences of this in the coming weeks. I am excited to see what happens next!

Pete.