In today’s mixed-up world, filled with conflict and polarity, we often are left with pause, wondering if/when we should call a lawyer to help us sort out a dispute with an angry mission employee or partner. Missio Nexus wrote this past week with a great little piece to help us navigate these questions. Find it (without having to log in) at https://missionexus.org/when-should-you-call-your-lawyer/. (The author, Josh Heidelman, is one of the 1000+ participants who will be taking part in the Missio Nexus fall leaders’ conference. Learn more about the conference (“Shift”) at https://web.cvent.com/event/87b81d7f-7e0f-44e5-a1e9-59bfd6423926/summary.)
8) Curious About When You Should Call a Lawyer?
I was a missionary who was given an ultimatum or leave after serving faithfully for 27 years. It was very painful, and the next few years were filled with bitterness and anger. I tried to contact counselors and professionals to help intervene in the situation, but resources were scarce, for obvious reasons. I was not able to find anybody to talk to who wanted to take the time to hear my story.
The resentment and confusion produced a longing in my heart to know peace and justice, but I could find no human who could understand my mess. I began to let down my religious guard and strict adherence to the written Word and began to question God what it means to be self-righteous. The love of God overwhelmed me with the presence of His holy righteous Spirit.
Over the past 4 years, God’s Spirit has taken the written Word and counseled me with His living Word, written on my heart, the Words of eternal life. He has transformed my beliefs, causing my soul to be born again, knowing the intimate presence of Christ abiding and dwelling in me, producing the power over sin in my life.
Today I give thanks and praise God for the ultimatum I was given by my leaders. If it hadn’t been for their misguided understanding of scripture, I would never have known the eternal presence of God’s Spirit dwelling in me. To whom it may concern, never underestimate the power of God’s spirit to counsel your unjust situation and reveal life and freedom that can only be found, in a death to our flesh, on the cross with Jesus.