I remember talking with a pastor who was transitioning to a new assignment.  After he announced his departure, the church began to unravel and discord began to divide the people. He told me, “I stayed two years long longer than I should have.” The pastor stayed longer than he should have. In his disobedience to the word of the Lord to move on, he felt the grace of God lift from his assignment. The delay of two years disrupted what God had originally intended for him and the church he was leaving. 

Our calling is different than our place of ministry assignment. A calling can transfer, but an assignment is specific regarding issues like the geography of our calling and the context where we work. 

An Alaska Airlines flight from San Francisco to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was forced to divert to Salt Lake City after the pilot announced to the passengers that he wasn’t qualified to land in Jackson Hole under instrument conditions. Those minimums create requirements based on a pilot’s experience before they can attempt landing at an airport with low approach minimums and tall mountains. The pilot’s announcement came while the plane was already on its descent into Jackson Hole, as the flight attendants were preparing the cabin for landing.

The flight diverted to Salt Lake City and waited on the tarmac for over an hour before a qualified pilot could board the aircraft and complete the flight to Jackson Hole. The interior atmosphere of the passenger area was filled with complaints, anger, and questions as to why this happened.

The story of the Alaska Airlines flight reminds me of what can happen when the Lord changes the location of our calling and we are late making the announcement of our departure. At some point, like the Alaska pilot, we need to let people know that our time is finished we are not supposed the land the plane of that ministry. That announcement tells those traveling with us that we have not been cleared by the Lord to perform the landing. 

It may be embarrassing to share this kind of information with those we have come to love knowing our announcement may upset the plans for their life. It may negatively impact our image in the eyes of those we are leaving. Apart from all the emotions attached to such a decision, in the end, it will protect those under our care because staying too long in an assignment can put others in jeopardy and create scenarios we never intended. 

For each person in a time of transition, Romans 8:28 applies uniquely to each transition of life and ministry, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

The word “good” used in Romans 8:28 is more accurately translated as “for the advantage” of those who love God. Some of the greatest examples of this kind of love happen when we obey the voice of the Lord and follow His instructions even when our decision disrupts the plans of others. We can make that choice with assurance knowing that any disruption of our lives that is initiated by the Lord will be to our advantage and to the advantage of those we previously served.