Calling

3 Lessons from Asking, “Why Should I Stay?”

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Something I have wrestled with throughout my time at Judson College and Southeastern Seminary is the possibility of overseas missions. Within the first week of college, I heard the charge to ask myself, “Why should I stay?” Many of my friends from college and seminary now live overseas or are planning to go soon. I spent time overseas in college exploring the possibility of going long term. So, it may surprise you that I am approaching my third year as a worship leader in the States. Truthfully, I have never been more certain of my calling to full-time ministry in America. What is more surprising is that my wrestling with overseas missions is what God used to call me to stateside ministry. Here are three lessons I learned through asking the question “Why should I stay?”

1.     Don’t be afraid to ask the question.

I can now admit that when I first arrived at Judson College in the fall of 2016, I was truly afraid to ask the question “Why should I stay?” I was a backslidden believer, and my deepest affections had been wrapped up in the things of this world for years. When I was charged to ask myself why I should stay in America, I could feel the idols in my heart begin to rage against the Spirit (Proverbs 19:3). Every good reason why the chapel speaker wasn’t talking about me came to mind, attempting to soothe the internal war I was experiencing. Paul explains what I was feeling in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want”. I wasn’t opposed to overseas missions; I was opposed to giving God my heart. It was the process of beginning to ask the question, “Why should I stay?” that God used to expose and dethrone the idols I held so dear. If this had not happened, I would not be in church, leading worship, finishing a second degree, or writing this article. So don’t be afraid to ask the question. It may be the very thing God uses to change the trajectory of your life.

Walk in God’s generous fountain of wisdom, and watch as the Potter gives shape to your life.

2.     With wisdom, say yes to as many ministry opportunities as you can.

In March of 2018, I went with a group from Judson College to serve at Meridzo ministries in Lynch, Kentucky. Our first order of business was orientation with Meridzo’s founder, Lonnie Riley. As I listened to Lonnie’s story, I heard the testimony of a man who had asked and answered the question, “Why should I stay?” Lonnie left a lake house, a high-paying pastorate, and a comfortable life to get the gospel to those in Appalachia. Toward the end of orientation, he brought out a blank piece of paper, wrote “yes” on the top, and said, “You would be amazed at what God can do with your ‘yes’ on the table.” By God’s grace, this resonated with my freshly tilled heart. Once we returned from that trip, I grabbed a blank sheet of paper, wrote “yes” on the top, and watched as God began to multiply what little I had to offer. From my first “yes” in March to December of the same year, I would teach the Bible for the first time, preach my first sermon, make my first disciple, and go to Malaysia to explore the possibility of overseas missions. Little did I know that was only the tip of the iceberg. I now have 50+ ministry opportunities of all shapes and sizes under my first “yes” in 2018. Some are checked off, some are crossed out, but none were off the table until God said so. Now, some six years later, I can pull out that piece of paper and sing with the hymn writer Robert Robinson, “Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thine help I’ve come”. As you begin the process of asking, “Why should I stay?”, say yes to as many opportunities as you can. Walk in God’s generous fountain of wisdom, and watch as the Potter gives shape to your life.

3.     Be ready to answer God’s call.

I will never forget when God called me into worship ministry. It was a crisp fall day in 2020, and I was driving to my church’s annual men’s retreat. I was one month into learning guitar, and my church was between worship leaders. So, I offered to play what little guitar I knew as a help. About halfway into the four-hour drive, I was stopped by a still small voice. Even now, I can still hear those distant words ringing in my ear: “Well, we don’t have anyone else to sing, and I know you can at least hold a tune in a bucket.” Divine clarity! And divine it was. For the next year, I would lead regularly for multiple services across the weekend, learning as I went. I truly was building the plane in the air. Little did I know that this one year of trial-by-fire worship leading was preparing me for my next assignment. By God’s grace, I am approaching year three as a worship leader and have never felt more certain of my calling. Once God has your “yes,” be ready to answer His call whenever and however it comes.

So, whether you go or stay, make sure it’s because God told you, not because you told God. My calling wasn’t to overseas missions, but everything was on the table until God took it off. In fact, it was the willingness to ask the question, “Why should I stay?” that ultimately led me to put roots down in the States. Not all of us are called to go overseas, but we are all called to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission however and wherever God chooses.

  • Calling
  • Great Commission
Ben Brannon

Ben Brannon is the Director of Worship and Connections at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has a Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry from Judson College and is soon to complete his Masters in Worship Ministry from Southeastern Seminary. 

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