Postponed! All decisions postponed!

Scripture

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:39-41

Observation

The church is a family and not a business. Bonds are close so when decisions are made in church life we tip toe through exposed nerves. We should be considerate.

When the tough calls come here’s the question: should we go with the heart or the head?

Barnabas went heart first. He thought of his home state and his cousin first before the mission of the church. In time Barnabas’ choice proved to be right. Cyprus was won to Christ. Johnny Mark matured into Mark the author of a Bible book. Heart decisions work.

Paul went head first. He thought of the corporate mission left by Jesus to go into all the world. He was not willing to jeopardize that for one immature young man or to stay cooped up on an island in the ocean. So he chose a seasoned veteran to journey with him and went where no apostle had gone before. In time Paul was proven to be correct. Before his life was over the gospel had made it to Gibraltar and back. Head decisions work too.

The accent of this story is on Paul and his bold decision to move ahead head first. There are times when the family bonds of church life must be bruised as we move forward with the gospel.

Paul’s home church didn’t criticize him for it, they prayed for him. What a healthy response!

When we sit on the outside of a business meeting or on the edge of a large organization, leaders can make choices that cause tongues to wag. Often it is because we who live on the edges are thinking emotionally and personally rather than strategically.

Leaders, like the captain of a ship, sit in the helm where all things are visible from the boiler room to the horizon. There are many things to be considered. When leaders make choices they cannot afford to be enslaved by one particular need. All things must be considered. So the church prayed, as we should as well.

Application

Are the decisions that I make about life direction based on serving a small, narrow view of life attached to deep feelings of love or am I sitting in the control tower with the Lord seeing life from his point of view? Sometimes we must navigate misunderstanding to move forward into what the Lord has for us.

Prayer

Father, I like to make people happy, but I need even more today to please you. Help me to see your direction.