When I came back to the Lord over ten years ago, Jesus Christ spoke these words to me one morning in my quiet time. He called me by my Korean name and said, “Ji-Eun ah, gather my sheep.” He said this three times. Under the anointing and his special visit I said with streaming tears, “Yes, I will my Lord!” three times too.

Why am I being reminded about this lately? It is because I have been praying and seeking a new local church. I found another local church about half an hour drive from my home. I have been listening to their sermons online and agreeing with their preaching from the pulpit. This church appears much smaller. I was making plans to visit this church once I get fully vaccinated. (My husband is very, very cautious about Covid and so I need full vaccination. I know there are controversies around the vaccines, so you will have to pray for God’s direction for you and protection with either choices.)

My current church has about 2,000 members. Many seekers, prodigals, and Catholics seem to come to our church. I can understand why…you can safely hide in the back as you are seeking, searching and carefully returning back to God as prodigals. I was all these categories once, except the Catholic.

Bottom line is that there are many more people or sheep in my current church. Besides that the Holy Spirit is reminding me about the open, ruined walls around my church. If folks like me continue to leave the church then what about the lost sheep 🐑 who continue to come into the church? Who will gather and disciple them? If they leave because of the open ruined walls then where would they wander off to?

Like Gideon, I feel led to demolish the idols that have been erected in our church. I am already doing this. Thinking that I will leave my church I have been bold and sharing more with my church leadership. So far, no pastors have rebuked or challenged my sharing. Instead one pastor told me that my emails are making a big impact on all of them. Wow praise Jesus!

Yesterday I asked the ladies from Times Square Church community group that I joined recently to pray for me and my decision on whether to stay or leave my current church. It’s has been over two years prayer saga for me. I will obey God’s decision.

This pandemic has opened up a new way to connect with other church members! I have always been a huge fan of Times Square Church and it has been a great blessing and edification for me to join their virtual community group. It is so good to be part of this weekly women’s fellowship.

I can almost hear the Holy Spirit telling me, “Don’t I feed you enough? Now go back and feed the others.” Without the emotions but with the same resolve, I will say again “Yes, I will my Lord.”

Matthew 12:30 – “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” – Jesus