The Disappointing Call of God

By Tammy Miller

On May 28, 2016, our moving van rolled into Fort Collins, Colorado. My husband Terry had been appointed by North American Ministries to help revitalize the Snowy Ridge Church. The congregation had been without a pastor for almost three years. Excitement was high as we anticipated a great move of God and a church filling up fast due to a productive outreach program, exciting children’s activities, and classes for men, women, boys, and girls. Fort Collins had over 150,000 people, after all.

It wasn’t long before we ran into roadblocks. I’ll spare you the details, but it wasn’t long before our dreams for revitalizing Snowy Ridge began a long goodbye. Eventually, the doors closed. This church we wanted to see flourish was gone. It wasn’t that we heard the call of God wrong; we knew He had called us to this place. But, so far, the experience had become a very disappointing call of God.

Fast forward to 2020. While the congregation had stopped functioning as the Snowy Ridge Church, North American Ministries still possessed a beautiful church building and five acres. Plans were underway to restart, to open a brand-new church. The date for the launch service of Waypoint Church was set for April 12, 2020. Enter a global epidemic. On this day, churches across America (and around the world, for that matter) began shutting down in-person services. Rather than giving in to another disappointment, Terry and our son, Jonathan, began sending Sunday morning sermons to a watching world via Facebook. Many churches were doing the same, but our “church” never even had a chance to meet.

It was tempting to give in to the frustration, heartache, discouragement, and fear that gripped us. At least, I experienced fear. I was discouraged. I was frustrated. My husband, on the other hand, wasn’t. But he has the patience of Job. How does one stay strong—whether patient or impatient—when faced with the reality that the call of God has become disappointing? God did not send us to fail. Yet how could we move forward?

As everyone in ministry knows, we find strength in God and His powerful Word alone. We can trust Him without worry, live courageously without fear, have faith without doubting, and worship in Spirit and Truth without hate. The following men and women from the pages of Scripture all heard and accepted the disappointing call of God. With trust, courage, faith, and worship, they obeyed the One worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. The One who brings us through the valley of the shadow of death to victory on the other side.

Trust, Not Worry

Mary heard the call of God and immediately accepted it as God’s perfect plan for her life. She must have known at once her life would not go as planned. Being an unwed mom would carry stigma and invite judgment. Disappointment, yes. But she only asked for information from the angel. How was this going to happen? As far as we can tell, Mary believed God. She trusted her Creator, pondered these things in her heart, and didn’t worry about the outcome. We should do the same (Luke 1:26-38).

Courage, Not Fear

After 40 long years of disappointment and death in the desert, Caleb was still on fire for God and ready to take possession of his mountain—the mountain the Lord had given him. He still had courage. He was ready to drive out the enemy, “if the LORD would be with him.” He could have lost faith and been discouraged after so much waiting. Though he suffered because of the sin of others, he remained courageous and fearless. Like Caleb, even in the face of extended disappointment, let us have courage, not fear (Joshua 14:6-15).

Faith, Not Doubt

Eli, the priest, assured Hannah the God of Israel heard her prayers and would grant the petition she asked. Hannah had made her own disappointing deal by promising to return her son to the Lord if He only heard her plea and gave her a son. God heard and answered, and Hannah delivered her son to serve the Lord in the Temple for the rest of his life. Knowing her son would not be hers to raise, she dried her tears, ate some food, put a smile on her face, and traveled home in faith, never doubting the God of Heaven had already fulfilled His promise (1 Samuel 1:9-28).

Worship, Not Hate

David faced many years of trial and disappointment after being anointed by Samuel. He didn’t become king immediately. He kept tending sheep. After his triumph over Goliath, he first served the ruling King Saul and then ran for his life from King Saul. Along the way, he stayed true to God and worshiped Him. Even in this great disappointing call, he refused to hate the king who was trying to kill him or turn his back on the God who allowed it. David spared the life of King Saul when opportunity arose to take matters into his own hands. Instead, David worshiped God and left justice and judgment in His hands, refusing to hate the men or the circumstances God allowed. May we learn to do the same (1 Samuel 24:1-22).

None of these people asked for disappointing lives. They did not ask for the call of God to bring disappointment and pain. They probably had dreams like we all do, each hoping to live their own happily-ever-after.

God sent Terry and me to Fort Collins, Colorado, but He didn’t give us the full run-down of disappointment that was coming. However, He did give us a promise. He gave us His Word that all things work together for good to those who love God and who are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

About the Author: Tammy Miller and her husband Terry are church planters in Fort Collins, Colorado. Learn more about their work: www.fwbnam.com/miller