The best advice I ever got was from my mentor in Bible College. I remember one afternoon we had lunch at Panera and at the end of our lunch I asked her “what advice would you give me to help me through Bible College?” She said, “never base your salvation on other people, because man will hurt you.” Now, this has been something that I carry very close to my heart, and I can say has saved me from a lot of hurt in church and out of church.
I have seen people get hurt in ministry because someone in leadership has hurt them in some way or another. When people come to me with church hurt, I often share this advice with them. I have to remind them of who we are serving. It’s so easy to forget that we are not serving man, but we are serving God. If we keep the main focus on God, it will be easier to get over the hurt we have experienced.
This isn’t just for those who have been hurt by the church; this piece of advice is for those out of church as well. Don’t let someone’s actions stop you from pursuing The One that has called us to Him.
This can pertain to all ways of life as well. Don’t let someone’s lifestyle or actions take you away from pursuing God. No one is ever worth losing your salvation, because at the end of the day, it’s you that has to answer to God. It’s you that will be faced with judgement; not them.
So… if you keep your salvation at the forefront of your mind, it will be easier to deal with those negative things that come your way.
When people say that people in the church are hypocrites, I have to remind them that people in the church are human just like the people out of church. We all wake up and go to sleep the same. We all face life the same. We all face devils the same. It’s easy to point the finger at those in the church, but in reality, those in church and those out of church are both human beings.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not excusing people’s negative actions, because those in church should be a resemblance of the God we serve. This is easy for some to do and others it’s a little more difficult to do.
All I’m saying is, don’t base your salvation on other’s peoples actions, because again, it’s you that will have to answer for your actions not them. I hope you hear my heart in this; I’m not trying to bash anyone. All I want you to do is remember that your salvation is yours and no one else’s.
It breaks my heart when people fall out of church or stop pursuing God because someone else has hurt them. People are not your Band-Aid, God is your Band-Aid; He is the one that will heal you!
I made a promise to God about 10 years ago, that He has my yes and I will pursue him at all costs. I have faced a lot of hurt in the church and out of church, but my faith remains in God, my salvation will always remain in God and guess what? I overcame every battle that has come my way because of the one (God) I chose to focus on!
I pray that the best advice ever given to me will now be the best advice you ever received!!!
Keep your focus on God and watch him work on your behalf. Storms will come, and storms will go, but God’s faithfulness remains the same in and out of storms. Stay focused because your future depends on it!
amen!