I recently had a MAJOR distraction in my life, or at least–that’s what it looked like from the mind-of-flesh. I am walking out and working out how to live a Spirit-led life. It’s exciting–but challenging, as the mind of flesh is at enmity with the Spirit (Romans 8:6-8).
I touched on it in my previous post titled, “Fight”. I actually agreed to and began to run for the Office of Sheriff in my county. I had been standing up in my community against mandatory masks for children (and anyone for that matter), because I still believe that God’s greatest gift to all of us is CHOICE. While attending a weekly patriot group, I was asked and encouraged to run for Sheriff, not once, but 3 times, because there was no conservative on the ballot to challenge the moderate incumbent, and the liberal challenger, both on the D ticket.
THREE times! The first time, my response was, “Hell no! I never wanted to be in politics”. My second response was to consider all the positive change I could affect for the community, as well as the increased influence I could have for the Kingdom callings I have in my life. And my third response was to consider if running actually could be a calling, as it lined up with my talents and abilities.
I believed that God would and could change me into the person that could effectively fill that office, and I felt the same way I felt when I became a Marine, that I was willing to serve my country for a limited period of time, laying aside my aspirations and plans for the greater good.
I gathered a team, started my committee and announced my intention to run for Sheriff. Lots of difficulties ensued, and at the same time, another well-qualified patriot stood up to answer the same call, which would have made him my opponent in the primary. Long story short, I stepped down to put the full support of my supporters behind him, and allow him to run unhindered for the office that he truly wanted.
Now to the mind of flesh, this looks like a distraction, a defeat, or at best, a waste of time and effort. However, my experience led me to some truly profound realizations.
While making the decision to step down, I inquired of the Lord, and he assured me that He would be with me in whatever endeavor I chose. I was reminded of the Banquet Table vision I had years ago and relieved that He was allowing me (and guiding me) to the path that followed my passions and plans, and did not require massive sacrifice for my family, and saved me from all the dirtiness of politics.
The moral of the story is, what you are willing to do for the sake of others is not necessarily required in the pursuit of the calling that God originally gave to you. I feel that the ‘calling’ of well-meaning patriots could have derailed my calling–to outside church, to my family, even to the lifestyle I have been building with friends in ministry endeavors.
There is something noble about being WILLING to do the difficult thing in service of others, but in this case, God did not require that from me, provided a way out, and got me back on track with my passion. And yet, had I been warned not to take that diversion, I would have missed the blessings of the experience… of a Spirit-led-LIFE!