Articles
When They Left
It has surely been an emotional week for the Helton Drive church family. Wiley and Mallory Deason are moving to their new work in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Many memories linger of their time spent with members. Many of you have been in their home. You have watched their children grow up before your eyes. You have listened to hundreds of Bible classes and sermons. You have seen young people baptized. You have been taught, counseled, encouraged, and admonished. Like any preaching work, there have been times of laughter and great joy and times of adversity with mutual tears. It is my prayer you take the time to properly meditate upon and express your gratitude for those good seasons and the personal and collective growth you have enjoyed during their time here. Such meditation is encouraged (Philippians 4:8).
In fact, as we reflect upon their departure it is good to consider the teaching of Scripture. The Bible is filled with examples of people who had to leave behind loved ones in order to cross a new bridge in life. Some left due to God’s call, some left due to their own freewill, and at some point, we all must leave this life due to death. What can we learn from others who left? What can we learn as we prepare to leave whether by choice or by circumstances?
Jacob (Israel) left this life after delivering blessings and warnings. While laying on his deathbed, Jacob offered both words of blessing and warning to his sons and grandsons (Genesis 48-49). When we leave, may we listen to the heartfelt encouragement and admonition of those who share their final words with us. Both hard and comforting words may need to be said.
Moses encouraged his successor before he left (see Deuteronomy 31:23). Moses inaugurates Joshua before the Lord takes him. He wanted the very best for his people, Israel. It is an act of love to try and create a succession plan for our departure. This is why people create wills, buy life insurance, and select a power-of-attorney. This is why CEO’s have a succession plan before they step aside. This is why we must mentor younger men to become the future elders, deacons, teachers, and preachers in local churches.
Joshua urged the people of Israel to make the right choice before he left (Joshua 24:15). He saw them wavering and asked them to “serve the Lord” in one of his final pleas. What is more important for those we will leave behind than to remind them of life’s greatest priorities? We need to have very real conversations with those we love before we are no longer able to have those talks.
David gave Solomon words of wisdom before he left. As David grows old, he charges Solomon to “be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God…” (1 Kings 2:1-3). This is still wonderful advice to those we leave behind. Real manhood would not consist in growing a big bank account, marrying a beautiful woman, or other temporal concerns. A real man keeps “the charge of the Lord your God.” It is good for our sons to hear this before they leave home or we leave them.
Jesus looked out for the vulnerable before he left. He asked John to care for his widowed mother while He was on the cross (John 19:25-27). This is pure religion (James 1:25-27). Who will care for your small children if you are no longer around? Who will care for widows in your family or the disabled? Make sure those who cannot care for themselves receive care!
The brethren wrote a letter of recommendation for Apollos when he left Ephesus to begin preaching in the region of Achaia (Acts 18:26-28). This simple practice helps reassure a congregation that the Christians moving to their area have left their previous congregations in good standing. Do we take the time to write such a letter for those who leave us to move elsewhere?
The elders of Ephesus prayed for Paul and wept for him as he left (Acts 20:36-37). Sometimes situations necessitate our leaving unexpectedly. Paul had spent almost three years working in Ephesus but trouble arose along with new opportunities. Do we pray for our brethren who leave us to embark upon new opportunities? This type of leadership among the Ephesian elders was exemplary. They display a warmth and love by their prayers, their tears, and their embrace of Paul as he boards the ship.
The Bible provides a beautiful pattern for all situations. Godspeed to the Deason family as they embark on new kingdom work.
