'Calling' versus 'reacting'

Luke 4:13-30

People who leave churches under a cloud can either be called to do so or reacting.  The reaction would be to something that has happened to offend them.  Both look the same so how do we know one from the other?  To be clear, Jesus left his body of fellow believers under a hurricane not just 'a cloud.'  Dragged to the edge of a cliff He just got on with what His Father was doing.

So not everyone who leaves a place they were 'brought up' is in error.  In fact, if we are following Jesus we should expect to be roughly treated by the religious people.  Because their true values lie in things other than Christ, a Christ centered person is just awkward to them.  Here are a few observations to differentiate between the called or the reacting:

• Reactees try a revolution before leaving.  The called announce the truth and leave
• Reactees 'throw spears back at Saul.'  The called have to dodge them
• In reacting, a drama is given energy.  Called people exit stage left
• People being led by God can articulate truth from the Word. Reaction is opinion based
• Called people keep doing what they do and are fruitful.  Reactees camp around 'issues.'
• Hurts come to both but called people go to the Lord and do not choose just tea and sympathy
• Peace in the storm for the called but an inner insistence for the reactors
• Called people may respond to their detractors but reaction displays the motives
• Over time the called can account for their actions, reactors insist they were right
• If over time you cannot show the reason the Lord did XYZ... you were probably reacting 

So if someone wants to leave your church ask a few questions like, 'can you tell me where they Lord is leading you?' The answer may be 'no' and that may be correct!  However, if the answer comes with a whole list of reasons their own wants and desires aren't being met I'd be suspicious.  In both cases let them leave and keep the door open because we all have the right to be wrong.  At least they are moving in SOME direction!  After a while check up on them and extend an invitation for a chat to see how they are doing.  Its hard to do this sometimes but many have returned to the place they are supposed to be having realized over time they were wrong.  If leadership lambaste the people who want to leave they close the door on the people realizing they may be wrong.  

Lets try to love even when it costs us.  That's modelling God's love shown at Calvary.  

Gary Ward