Post No. 4 - Reading Time:

Today as I sit down to write this blog, we have cancelled the last two services (1/14 and 1/21) here at Calvary due to the extreme temperatures. It’s not something I want to do, but the lack of insulation in this old building, the gaps in it’s wind barrier, and 30 plus year old furnaces simply make it impossible to heat it when the temperature drops down into the teens.

Already this winter I’ve seen several of our people wearing their coats in the sanctuary and some even bring a blanket with them. I praise their dedication to worship the Lord each week, but sometimes we need to let them stay home and stay warm.

Nevertheless, I’m glad we’ll be back in session this Sunday the 28th. It will be communion Sunday and we need to be together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a church.

Still, I’m perplexed as to where to go from here. Do I backtrack and try to recover my Fervent Prayer Series or do I move on? We’ve invested so much in reigniting prayer in our church. I had hoped this month would be the catalyst for continuing growth in our prayer lives this year. I’m not saying that the weather is a direct attack of the enemy on our attempt to become a “house of prayer” once again, but adversity can sidetrack or even derail your best efforts.

Most of me just wants to suffer the loss and move on. Part of me wants to pick up where I left off and try to catch up. Maybe I’m just too systematic. Maybe I feel like it’s a defeat (not the first). Maybe I don’t want to waste all the prep work I’ve done.  Whatever the case, I’m struggling to know what my next message will be this coming Sunday.

I don’t know about you, but I’m usually an optimist, and on top of that, I am also an opportunist. I’m always looking to make the best of every situation I find myself in, whether spiritually or physically.

Paul told the Colossians to “make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5 NIV) He’s tells us that this is a form of wisdom. Ecclesiastes reiterates this:

“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” — Ecclesiastes 11:6 (KJV)

I guess adversity teaches you that. It makes you resourceful. It makes you think. It demands that you think and rethink what you are doing. It teaches you to find another way, another course of action. Although we want things to go smoothly, they never do. It’s always like plowing ground whenever you are sowing seed.

So my final attitude towards this weather-related setback is to cast it behind me, thank God we’ve got good people here at Calvary who will support my decisions, and strike out on a new course once again this coming weekend.

I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s dilemma when it seemed even God was pushing against his plans. In the 16th chapter of Acts Paul and his traveling companions were on a missionary journey and they seemed to hit a wall. Then we are told this by Luke the writer:

“6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” — Acts 16:6–8 (NIV)

Sometimes you get hemmed in by the Lord. It’s not because he wants to hinder your ministry, but because he wants to guide you into greater fruitfulness for his kingdom. Paul was feeling quite hindered, but it made him quite eager to hear from the Lord. That night he had a vision:

“9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” — Acts 16:9–10 (NIV)

That’s what I need right now—a Macedonian Moment! Do I keep going in circles around the failures of January, or do I move one into a new area of ministry? I’m sure you know, as well as I, what the answer to that question is.

Until next Monday, may the Lord bless you! Pray for us as I pray for you!

Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God