My spiritual father once shared with us how two of his associate pastors left him the same day. It was at the early stage of their ministry. Their exit really shook him. But while in prayers and meditation one day, God gave him a prophetic picture of a tree whose leaves fell off. God told him; “Wherever a leave falls off, a branch will grow out of it.” That statement did not only encourage him, but also became his experience in ministry afterwards.
Friend, the pain of exit can be very devastating. But it almost always heralds the beginning of greater things. Are there people who have left you? Are there clients who stopped doing business with you? Have you been jilted by a guy or lady? As a pastor, have you suffered the exit of those whom you considered as good hands in church or ministry? Don’t allow it to devastate you (2 Timothy 4:16-17).
Sometimes, until the wrong people leave your life, the right people will not come. I don’t think there is ever anyone who has not experienced people leaving him or her. Sometimes, you want to blame yourself for the exit of people. Some people would attribute it to your lack of leadership or love. Others would think that something must be wrong with you.
If I may ask; was God a bad leader when the devil led about one-third of heaven to leave Him (Isaiah 14:12-14)? Was there something wrong with God? If the perfect God experienced people’s departure, if Jesus experienced it, if Paul experienced the same, then I wonder why you think you are a bad person for losing relationships. Some things are just meant to happen, no matter what you do to prevent them (Romans 8:28).
While it is important to learn wisdom in managing people, you need to realise that you are not primarily responsible for people’s decisions (John 6:66-69). Learn to move on. I believe the very day that Lucifer left heaven in rebellion, worship still held. It is bad that people left you, but it is worse that you paused your life because of this. It is worse that you keep nursing the wound of their departure rather than open your life to new relationships that God may be bringing your way (Judges 11:1-11).
One of the prices you have got to pay for growth is the price of people exit. Jesus promised to prune us so we could bear more fruit (John 15:2). In most cases, the people leaving you are necessary for you to move to your next level of success and greatness. For leaders and pastors, until strange children leave you, true sons will not arise (Psalms 144:11-15). Thank God for those who left you today and wish them well. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria