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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Follow the Lord’s Leading

“When the Lord offers opportunity to change futility into fruitfulness, be open to change. We got to hand it to the disciples, some of whom were experienced fishermen. When that stranger says, ‘Cast nets on the other side,’ they cast them on the other side. And their whole night of futility was changed to a quarter of a ton of fish. They were willing to do it. Don’t hesitate too long. Plunge right in. When you sense it’s His plan, plunge in. Go after it. Like Peter plunging into the water when he realized it was the Lord who was giving those instructions. If it’s the Lord leading you to say yes, don’t even think maybe. Certainly, don’t think no. Be open. Fruitfulness invariably accompanies the Father’s will. Fruitfulness like you’ve never known.”

Expect Soul-Searching Seasons

“When His plan is to move you into a new and challenging direction, expect a period of soul searching. With Peter, it was three questions asked in front of his peers. With you, it may be long nights and some sleepless ones as you are wrestling with direction. It may not be as clear as the one sitting next to you. You’ll go through some soul searching just like Peter. Stay real. Think it through. That’s all part of the process. And then respond.”

Focus Fully on Him

“When He makes it clear that you’re to follow Him into a new direction, focus fully on Him and no one else. Guard your heart against comparing. It’ll lead you into all kinds of confusion. And in years to come, you will realize that the door open for you is a door that included many tests, that one of your own close classmates has never had to go through. It’s none of your business. It’s none of your business. Remember, it’s a second person singular. He calls us one at a time, focusing on us.”

Guard Against Envy

“You see what Peter did? He compared himself with another. You’re asking a strong and hard and demanding thing of me, what are you asking of her, of him, of them? You’re not careful, you’ll do that throughout your ministry. You’re putting me through all of this. You’re expecting this from me? Look at how easy he’s got it. I mean, I studied just as hard in school. I worked just as hard. Sometimes you’ll have to admit harder than so-and-so who, after graduation, enters a ministry that becomes well-known and, of all things, very popular across the country. And here you’re slugging away, doing your best, following Him. In unguarded moments, if you are not careful, you will be submerged in envy.”

“Tend My Lambs”

“Peter answers, ‘I’m fond of You, Lord.’ Jesus, very graciously, without one word of shame, with no rebuke, says to Peter, (look at the response) ‘Tend to My lambs.’ What a great relief that must have been for a man who had failed, and failed so miserably and so publicly, and failed on the heels of his own proud overstatement and inflated pride of recent hours. ‘Tend My lambs.’”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your fingertips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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