What to do When You Don't Want to Be There

Rev. Ron Denton

Have you ever found yourself in a place that you did not choose to be or wanted to be? That has certainly been the case with me. I cannot go into details of these situations but there have been times throughout my ministry that I have been in places and situations that I did not choose nor ask for. There have been multiple times and places that the Lord had instructed me to go, and I fought it and even said “NO!” Hey! I am not the only one to do so. Remember Jonah? I have never been swallowed by a whale, but I found myself swallowed up in deep depression, and my peace taken from me and this more than once, but in each occasion I learned to finally surrender and say “Lord, not my will but thine be done.” Even after submitting to His will, I ask the Lord, why did you put me here, what am I doing here, but now years following I now can say “Thank you Jesus.”  Remember Moses who found himself running from Egypt and found himself on the back side of the desert, (Exodus chapters 2-3. David found himself hiding in a cave, (1 Samuel 22:1).

I was listening to a minister speaking and, in his message, he made a profound statement that I do not think I will ever forget. 

“God may put you in a place that you don’t want to be, but He puts you there in that place for what follows.” (Unknown)

Looking back the Lord has shown me that it was not only for that time only, but for that which would follow. It was for those who would later receive their calling in the ministry, become pastors, become soul winners for the Gospel of Christ. The Lord may have you in a place that you don’t care to be but be patient. He may have you there for Kingdom purpose. 

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.