My Answer: Think seriously before changing churches
Question: How can I know if it’s time for me to change churches? The one I’ve been going to for the last few years doesn’t have any community service projects that I can get involved in, which is something I’d really like to do now that I’m retired.
—Mrs. L.F.
Answer: I’m grateful you want to help others in your community; far too many people assume their usefulness is over once they retire. But it doesn’t need to be that way; some of God’s choicest servants made their greatest impact later in life. Moses (for example) was 80 when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
I don’t know whether or not you should seek another church home — but God does, and I urge you to pray about this decision and seek His will. As you consider this, however, I hope you’ll keep two things in mind. First, no church is perfect. Some people seem to spend their lives looking for one that is — but they never find it, because it doesn’t exist this side of heaven!
Second, don’t overlook the good points in your present church. Is the Bible honored as God’s Word, and is it preached and taught? Does your church provide other opportunities for your spiritual growth? In other words, don’t focus only on the church’s shortcomings, but also on its strengths. And are you taking advantage of them?
In addition, don’t overlook the possibility that God may want to use you to start a community service project of some type in your present church. It not only could fulfill your desires, but also help others to put their faith into action. The Bible says, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right” (James 2:8).
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Q: By the time you get this I’ll be out of college, and I don’t have any idea what to do next. Maybe I just wasted the last four years. Do you believe God has a plan for everyone, or is it just up to us to decide what we’ll do with our lives?
—D.B.
A: Most people, I’m afraid, do go through life assuming it’s up to them to decide what they’ll do with their lives, but I pray you won’t be one of them! Instead, I pray you will turn to God and seek His will for your life, because He knows what’s best for you.
After all, God made you and put you here; you aren’t here by chance. He also gave you your abilities, as well as opportunities to develop and use them. Most of all, He has a plan for your life — and life’s greatest joy comes from knowing His will and doing it. Can you think of any reason not to seek His will? I can’t.
How can you find God’s will for your life? The Bible tells you what your first step ought to be — and that is to turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, and commit your life to Him. God loves you; He loves you so much that He wants to come into your life and adopt you into His family forever. Then ask God to guide you — helping you know your abilities and limitations; opening doors of opportunity for you; showing you by His Spirit what way He wants you to go.
I don’t know if you wasted the last four years, but even if you did, don’t waste the future! Instead, trust God’s promise: “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs” (Isaiah 58:11).
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: https://www.billygraham.orghttps://www.billygraham.org
BILLY GRAHAM is the founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., based in Charlotte, N.C. He has preached the Gospel to over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories.