This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of the Series “Fresh Start” – I Meet New People! (WATCH HERE)
Sometime you just have to move on.
We have all had relationships in the past that we no longer have in the present. Those you dated before the one you married…at some point you decided to move on. An employer that paid you one of your first paychecks…at some point you decided to move on.
Various reasons lead us to end relationships or strike out for a new job. But it’s not always easy. Those tough decisions probably came with a lot of anxiety and nervousness.
Unless you are clear on your values and purpose.
Ministry is full of relationships beginning and ending. People decide to join a church and people decide to leave. Sometimes you spend a lot of time, energy, and conversations to keep someone from leaving. But when you reflect back on the situation, it probably didn’t always matter how much time you spent, they had made their mind up for one reason or another.
Another reason one moves on from relationships is not that the relationship has ended, but that there are more relationships to get to. Politicians don’t spend all their time in one state…they spend time and then move on to convince voters in another state. Sales people move to the next neighborhood even though they hadn’t spoken to in the previous neighborhood. Teachers can’t spend their whole day instructing one student, they have to address a question, but then move on.
Jesus decided to move on from Capernaum. (Mark 1:36-39)
36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
The people in Capernaum would see him again, but not that day. He could have spent a lot of time in Capernaum, but his mission compelled him to move on to other nearby villages. Why? More people needed exposure to the Gospel.
Jesus’ decision to move on didn’t mean he didn’t care for the people of Capernaum, he just also cared for people in the neighboring villages. It is ok for the sake of the Gospel to move on from one conversation or relationship for the sake of reaching others with the Gospel. Sometimes the decision is easy because they reject Jesus, but other times we feel compelled to stay and meet every need.
It’s ok, take time with people to bring the Gospel to them and then feel comfortable moving on to others who also need the Gospel.
As a side note, this passage has been the theme of our South Central District Mission Board to keep us looking for opportunities to establish churches and ministries. The established churches are important…but so is bringing the Gospel to new communities.
People are all around you…enjoy the opportunities God leads you to…and then be ready to move on when he opens a new door!
Apply: Is there a relationship that has taken a lot of your time? Is God opening a door for a Gospel conversation somewhere else? How might Jesus’ activity give you encouragement?
Prayer: Lord thank you for the countless opportunities to share the Gospel. Give me the discernment to know which one to leverage and which ones to move on from to new ones. AMEN.