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A few years ago, I journeyed to Turkey with a group of CBOQ pastors. Our intent was to visit the 'churches of the Revelation.' We wanted to visit and see firsthand the remains and visible markers of the Presence of God's People, to a degree still represented in the still standing or now crumbling buildings, foundations, boulders and stones of the cities and church-edifaces of the early Christianity.

While at Ephesus, Dr. Harry Renfree, a friend and co-leader from our sister denomination in Canada's Atlantic provinces gave a brief devotional. I shall never forget his words as he read from Scripture some related and relevant verses from the New Testament, that gave the account of Paul's visit to this ancient city, along with the team of friends, colleague - fellow-workers who accompanied him on his mission and in his ministry. When Paul came to Ephesus, said Harry, he came in 'hot.'

Our minds were taken immediately to the picture of a short, weak, in many ways unattractive man - but a man who with fervour and passion had come to announce to the Ephesians the 'unsearchable riches of Christ' and to hold up before them 'the Word of Life.'

Of course he was on fire because he was a man possessed by the Person of Christ, by the Message of the Gospel, and by the energy and enabling
power of the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit, Who is Fire and Wind as well as Teacher and Comforter both heartened Paul and energized the Message of the resurrected Messiah he had met and whom he now proclaimed.

From Ephesus, in a letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul wrote that he would remain there until Pentecost of that year, because a great and effectual door of opportunity had been opened to him in that great city. AND, he hastens to add - there are many adversaries.

To stick with it because there are many God-given opportunities in the place where we now are staying and serving is one mark of God's grace, as well as evidence of Holy Spirited discernment on the part of pastors, leaders and anyone of His faithful disciples. Sticking with it because of the opportunities seems clearly the right thing to do. But what if there are enemies and opposition? Then what?

Should I stay at this church or move on? How do you know when it's the 'end of the book' and not just the 'end of the chapter' in the season of ministry which also is in resonance with the seasons and rhythms of our lives and ministries?

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