What are You Doing for the Kingdom?
If you’re doing nothing for the Kingdom, there’s a problem. An important question to ask yourself first is, “Where is God leading me now?”. When the Holy Spirit guides you, He takes you through different places and phases. How long you stay in each place depends on His leading. Sometimes, God may keep you in one place for years to fulfill a specific purpose. If He has led you there, you are there by His direction, even if it seems like you’re just in one spot, such as working in an office. Even there, God intends to accomplish something for His Kingdom and glory.
Facing Opposition
Consider Paul’s example. When he traveled, he primarily preached the gospel and later wrote letters to the churches. In the beginning, he was just getting to know people. In Acts 14:21-22, it says, “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'” They had passed through these places before, including Lystra, where Paul had been stoned (Acts 14:19).
The opposition was real. In Acts 14:5-6, it states, “And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.” Despite fleeing from Iconium to escape persecution, Paul was later stoned in Lystra. The problem seemed to follow him, as “Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead” (Acts 14:19).
When Is It Time To Move?
Jesus advised His disciples, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23), indicating that persecution is sometimes a sign that it’s time to move on. Even Jesus Himself would leave when people attempted to stone Him. John 8:59 says, “Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” Likewise, God moves people, and it’s crucial to discern when He wants you to move. Of course, you should pray about it, as persecution is not the only sign of a change. God also directs through instructions, revelations, and other means (Acts 16:6-7).
Working on the Move
Paul and Barnabas traveled through many places, revisiting them to encourage the disciples and strengthen their faith. They reminded them that while the Kingdom of God is good news, it also comes with hardships—“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Like the journey to a “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8), there may still be a desert or wilderness to pass through.
They appointed elders in each church after a time of prayer and fasting, committing them to the Lord. Acts 14:23 says, “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” They didn’t rush to appoint leaders immediately; they allowed time for growth before putting leadership in place. According to God’s dealings, there is a process and a timing to follow, moving from phase to phase and season to season. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Working Through The Seasons
Sometimes, you may wish to know everything at once or act like you do, but that’s not God’s way. He guides you through times and seasons. Jesus, for example, had many disciples before He specifically chose the twelve, after spending a night in prayer. Luke 6:12-13 tells us, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”
Paul and Barnabas followed this pattern on their first missionary journey. Later, Paul partnered with others like Silas and Timothy, showing that your companions may change over time, but your commitment to God’s purpose should remain constant. The Bible says, “Then they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed” (Acts 14:26). This shows there is such a thing as finishing an assignment. Even though this was Paul’s first missionary journey, it illustrates that God gives tasks in phases. You must diligently pursue the task given to you each time, knowing that every season will eventually end (2 Timothy 4:7).
