“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might
straighten out what was left unfinished…”
(Titus 1:5)
Thoughts… Think about this: The reason you may want to leave something may be the very reason God has you in there in the first place.
It may be your job or church or a relationship or a place of ministry. Perhaps the going is tough and you want to get going. You’ve come to realize that the grass would be greener somewhere else, and you’d rather be there. Life would be a lot easier if you just packed up and left—got a new job, found a new church, ditched that relationship for a healthier one, or turned in your resignation from that ministry commitment.
That’s what Titus wanted to do. Paul had left him on the Island of Crete to pastor the church there. Apparently, the Cretan Community Church was full of—well, Cretans. They were neither the easiest people to shepherd nor the easiest church to lead, and Titus had informed Paul that since it wasn’t going so well, he was ready for a better assignment.
But Paul knew it was a tough place. He knew that when he assigned Crete to Titus. He even admitted to this young pastor here in chapter one, “Even one of their own prophets has said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’” And that was on a good day!
However, that was the very reason they needed a pastor. That was the purpose for which Titus was sent—to straighten that very mess out. That was this young minister’s raison d’etre—his reason for being there. Paul says, in effect, “buck up, buddy, that’s why I left you there. Bloom where I’ve planted you. Straighten out them out, then we’ll talk.
The Cretens needed someone like Titus who had the ministry of straightening things out. And it may be God has given you that ministry, too. Maybe that’s why you are where you are, your raison d’être. Perhaps the very thing that is tempting you to leave your job or relationship or church or the ministry you are in is exactly why God has placed you there.
Don’t be so quick to run! Bloom where God has planted you. You may be the only rose those thorns will ever know.
Prayer… Father, may I never be too quick to run. May I be faithful to the call you have placed upon me. Help me to see when the difficulties I am facing are the very reasons why I need to stay put and stay faithful.
One More Thing… “The best way out is always through.” —Robert Frost
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