Church and Marketplace

I sat there as an observer in the conference room, provided by local business owners, in my dream. In walked the pastor who had just finished his retreat. Up looked his wife, expectantly. They anticipated refreshing from the Lord, and a fresh word, too. Both were so tired, having served the Lord in the pastorate for decades. They agreed this retreat would help him hear from the Lord so they could continue on.

He spoke the words neither expected.

“I called you to be a fisher of men,” spoke the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, allowing that realization to sink in.

The pastor told his wife, in my hearing, that he understood that to mean, all those years ago, “become a pastor.” This understanding was based on what he was taught as a young boy about acceptable ways to serve the Lord. However, this retreat revealed that pastoring was not what the Lord called him to do.

All these years they labored whole-heartedly for the Lord. They were feeling very spiritually dry, but pressing onward, serving the Lord with all their strength.

The man and wife who owned/operated the business (which included a restaurant, retreat, and shuttle service) did not appear as devout as the pastor and his wife. And yet, the business owners were doing the work the Lord had called them to, I understood in the dream.

Life’s Context

I knew how the pastor felt. I’ve worked with all my strength, and discovered later, it wasn’t what the Lord was wanting me to do.

There has been a Great Divide in our thinking which separated our spiritual lives from our physical lives.

The businessman in my dream was God-called to business as his ministry or service. And the pastor in my dream was God-called to evangelism. . .most likely intended to serve his ministry in the marketplace.

Allowing the Holy Spirit to Move

Rigidly enforcing the way we were taught to do things, even things for God, restrict the life-flow of the Holy Spirit. When this happens, it is we, His people, who are restricting Holy Spirit’s movement in the Body of Christ. And when the breath is not allowed room–even when our hearts are good–the life in the Body withers.

We can be so sure we are right–while we are actually opposing the Holy Spirit’s movement. Think about the Apostle Paul’s life as a Pharisee.

The Lord Jesus Christ is aligning His Body in this new hour. Let us allow His Spirit room to breathe through us so that He can freely move.

White dove in a blue sky, symbol of faith

Prayer Response

Father, thank You for the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which speaks mercy for me and others. Father, it is true things are not always as they appear for myself or others.

I yield to You and ask for Your grace to keep my mind, heart and plans open to You. On my behalf. And on others’ behalf.

In my attempt to serve You, I’ve missed the boat, and caused You loss serving in arenas You didn’t call me to. Please forgive me, and Your Family, and grant greater grace to restore the time in and through us.

Help me to want to do what You want me to do. Help me to have courage to be who You created me to be, released from who I became through mis-teachings, mis-interpretations, or others’ expectations/demands. Grant me, my family, and Your Family grace to give the Holy Spirit room to breathe and move, so we can be who You created us to be, and who we want to be. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

copyright, Crystal Wade, 2016