Pentecost

For the last couple of weeks we've been facing a work-related challenge that may spell the end of our work in a particular setting.  Changes in policy may create a situation where the income may no longer be there to cover our expenses.  In addition, there is increasing dissension that is making the situation uncomfortable. It has been a painful thing to face the notion that some folks would rather we weren't doing what we've been doing as they see it as taking away from their income. And yet there are others that have made it clear they REALLY appreciate our work.  While receiving these mixed messages and feeling our own feelings about things, we've been actively seeking guidance from God.  How are we to proceed?  

One Bible passage has come to mind over and over again - "the labourer is worthy of his hire", along with the accompanying thought that if our expenses are not going to be met, it may be time to move on.  In looking up this passage, a couple of more instructions jump out at me.  Verses 5-7 suggest we should be seeking to stay only where there is a spirit of peace, and verses 10-12 seem to indicate that if there is a lack of acceptance, it may be time to move on, making sure we do not take any remnants of that situation with us.  Of course, things are often not quite so clear cut and as I've said, the messages we've been getting are mixed.  Yet, the very fact that they are mixed undercuts the "peace" that might be there.  

Another thought has been coming over and over - a reminder of something I wrote about on this blog back on December 18. As indicated there, I had thought (looking through human eyes) that we might need to discontinue our classes in the spring.  At the time I wrote about it in mid-December, it felt like I was receiving guidance that suggested our classes might instead be intended to last until early June.  At the time, I noted the guidance, but didn't understand it because to human eyes it looked like if we made it through spring we'd be good to go for some time.  Nevertheless, I "held these things in my heart", waiting to see what would unfold.  

Today as I remind myself that God is in charge, I watch what is unfolding with interest. I find myself wondering if indeed things will transpire to keep us only "until Pentecost" as it seemed was being hinted at back in December. 

Another thought keeps coming to me as well.  I find myself pondering that instruction in Luke 10:7 about "not moving from house to house".  What does this mean for us?  When I ask that question, it seems what we may be being directed to do is to settle in one place to do our work - a place that is peaceful and accepts us.  I've wondered whether we should be trying to generate and accept all sorts of other engagements to try to make ends meet where we are, but I find myself wondering if this message is instead guidance telling us that we are to move on to a situation that will meet the expenses while giving us a more solid base of operations.  

Father, we seek your guidance and direction and are grateful for it.  Are there doors on which we need to knock and say "peace on this house" to test whether it is the place for us?  Is the time soon upon us when we should be "shaking the dust from our feet" with regard to this one specific situation?  We seek your guidance, Father.  We thank you for the guidance received thus far and the knowledge that you will continue the work you have begun in us.  Thank you for removing the worry from our minds, and filling us with gratitude as we remember the way you have led thus far.  Thank you, Father!