One of the worst experiences of my life turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life – I was fired from my first church. Now, before anyone freaks out, my dismissal had everything to do with philosophy and nothing to do with character or morality. To make a long story short, I started as a 22-year-old two weeks after my college graduation in the small town of Goodells, Michigan, as the youth pastor of First Baptist Church. It was one of the most exciting times of my life. I was young, ambitious, and as green as they come. For the first time in my life, I heard the words “Pastor John” which later was shortened to be “PJ.” I was on top of the world!
In those early years, I tried all sorts of things in youth ministry from activities to programs to van routes and visitation. I was going every day and night of the week, and it was exciting! Ultimately, the reason I lost my job was that after five years of working with the same pastor, he decided that we were not aligned in philosophy and methodology to keep working together. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life, but it was also one of the greatest moments of my life.
In reality, God was preparing me for something greater. After the first three years in Goodells, I married Tamara Wilkins, and she began to see the same thing. Combined with my parents and other pastors, Tami encouraged me to consider “moving on” from FBC-Goodells before the fateful day. I rejected all of their advice. I didn’t want to go, that is, until I didn’t have a choice. One cold and damp day, as I was working on my Sunday School lesson feeling under the weather myself, the pastor walked into my office and abruptly explained to me that I was being fired. I didn’t see it coming. I was devastated. Then, God healed me.
Jesus in one of the most iconic passages in the Gospel of John declares that he is the vine, and his followers are the branches. This is a significant statement in that the vine was the great symbol of power and prosperity in Israel. In fact, it was painted on the outside of Herod’s temple for everyone to see. Jesus was making it clear that he is the source of all life, and we need to be connected to him to thrive. There is much to explain in the text, but I’d like to focus on the fact that God “prunes” those who are producing for him so that they can produce even more for him. Just as a farmer removes anything on a branch such as dead wood or disease that will keep it from producing maximum fruit, God removes those sin issues and priority hindrances that would drain or limit our spiritual influence for the Kingdom of Heaven.
When I think back to that moment in my life when I lost that first job, I am grateful that God was “pruning” me for greater things. I believe when I look back now that I had become somewhat complacent and even comfortable in my ministry in Goodells. God had to “cut off” my comfort and develop a greater commitment to him. That moment has since become a driving force in my life! When I consider comfort or commitment, I always choose the latter. Why? Because I don’t want to look back on my life someday and wonder “what if!” What does God need to remove out of your life to prepare you for greater things?
The word “prune” in the Greek language actually focuses on “cleansing.” It seems strange until you read verse 3 which clarifies the point by connecting obedience to God’s Word to abiding in Christ. What we need to understand is that God often prepares us for greater things as we obey his truth one step at a time. Are you applying God’s truth to your everyday life?
Let’s make it practical to help you better understand. Maybe God needs to remove an addiction in your life before you can take on that new ministry. Maybe God the Holy Spirit is convicting you to “change up the family schedule” so that better priorities will lead to better influence in your kids’ lives. Maybe God is going to take a toxic relationship out of your life so that you can refocus on your purpose to serve him. I could give a thousand other examples. Just know this: the painful process is often the gateway to a powerful purpose! Looking back on that first ministry in that small town, I am so glad that God “pruned” me for more. He is faithful...especially in a painful process! Take a minute and read Hebrews 12:1-3 for a great reminder of this powerful truth!
In those early years, I tried all sorts of things in youth ministry from activities to programs to van routes and visitation. I was going every day and night of the week, and it was exciting! Ultimately, the reason I lost my job was that after five years of working with the same pastor, he decided that we were not aligned in philosophy and methodology to keep working together. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life, but it was also one of the greatest moments of my life.
In reality, God was preparing me for something greater. After the first three years in Goodells, I married Tamara Wilkins, and she began to see the same thing. Combined with my parents and other pastors, Tami encouraged me to consider “moving on” from FBC-Goodells before the fateful day. I rejected all of their advice. I didn’t want to go, that is, until I didn’t have a choice. One cold and damp day, as I was working on my Sunday School lesson feeling under the weather myself, the pastor walked into my office and abruptly explained to me that I was being fired. I didn’t see it coming. I was devastated. Then, God healed me.
Jesus in one of the most iconic passages in the Gospel of John declares that he is the vine, and his followers are the branches. This is a significant statement in that the vine was the great symbol of power and prosperity in Israel. In fact, it was painted on the outside of Herod’s temple for everyone to see. Jesus was making it clear that he is the source of all life, and we need to be connected to him to thrive. There is much to explain in the text, but I’d like to focus on the fact that God “prunes” those who are producing for him so that they can produce even more for him. Just as a farmer removes anything on a branch such as dead wood or disease that will keep it from producing maximum fruit, God removes those sin issues and priority hindrances that would drain or limit our spiritual influence for the Kingdom of Heaven.
When I think back to that moment in my life when I lost that first job, I am grateful that God was “pruning” me for greater things. I believe when I look back now that I had become somewhat complacent and even comfortable in my ministry in Goodells. God had to “cut off” my comfort and develop a greater commitment to him. That moment has since become a driving force in my life! When I consider comfort or commitment, I always choose the latter. Why? Because I don’t want to look back on my life someday and wonder “what if!” What does God need to remove out of your life to prepare you for greater things?
The word “prune” in the Greek language actually focuses on “cleansing.” It seems strange until you read verse 3 which clarifies the point by connecting obedience to God’s Word to abiding in Christ. What we need to understand is that God often prepares us for greater things as we obey his truth one step at a time. Are you applying God’s truth to your everyday life?
Let’s make it practical to help you better understand. Maybe God needs to remove an addiction in your life before you can take on that new ministry. Maybe God the Holy Spirit is convicting you to “change up the family schedule” so that better priorities will lead to better influence in your kids’ lives. Maybe God is going to take a toxic relationship out of your life so that you can refocus on your purpose to serve him. I could give a thousand other examples. Just know this: the painful process is often the gateway to a powerful purpose! Looking back on that first ministry in that small town, I am so glad that God “pruned” me for more. He is faithful...especially in a painful process! Take a minute and read Hebrews 12:1-3 for a great reminder of this powerful truth!