Shepherding Call: A Sister

A leading brother, out of his concern for a sister, called me to fellowship about her situation. This sister loves the Lord and is serving the Lord full-time. I have known her since thirteen years ago when I was invited to visit a group of Christian who met as an independent local church then, who had turned to the Lord's recovery and are now standing as the local church in that locality. Sovereignly, the Lord has brought her to the training and trained her to do very important work of translating the Bible into her language. She still remains single and is faithfully serving the Lord.

This sister, of late, has been in a relationship with a brother whom the Lord recovered into the church life. For a couple of months now, they have been fellowshipping and have come to the juncture of making the final decision of whether to get married or not. As the matter was brought to the brothers for fellowship, the brothers from the localities of the sister and the brother did not have the peace at all. Though they came together for fellowship, they could not arrive at any solid conclusion in peace. The reason being the past history of the brother concerned. So only, one of the leading brothers called me up for fellowship. In fact, he requested me to call her, as I knew her. I just took the matter to the Lord in prayer and did not call her as yet.

One fine morning, this sister gave me a call. I was glad that she called as I was still wondering when to call her and what to say. Deep within, I also had the same feeling as the other brothers. Not a feeling of peace as far as her proposal to get married to this brother was concerned. 

As we fellowship[ped over the phone, I got some facts from the sister about the brother. She was quite aware of it, and he did not have a good testimony at all in the past, nor in the present. The only qualification he has is, he is a brother and that he is available for marriage though he already married at least twice. I even warned the sister, not to catch hold of any available person just for the sake of getting married.

Out of deep concern, I fellowship my feeling to the sister. First, she should consider her calling and service in the church for the Lord in a full-time way. Now that she has been serving faithfully, "Will this decision to marry the brother affect her calling and her full-time service?" Very likely, and negatively.

Second, history repeats itself. A person's being and constitution is more important than what he can do or promised to be or do. Life growth needs time and takes a lot of time for transformation. The enemy can as well use him to stop her function forever. We should not be unwise in making a decision though it is very much needed. What if the past life returns, as with a couple of some other brothers the same locality? Her function will be hindered, if not stopped. 

Thirdly, I told her frankly, she deserved much more than what is presently at hand. I am being pure and frank to give her a clear picture. 

Fourthly, I told her the feeling of the leading brothers in the brother's locality and her lcoality is very important. The brothers represent the Lord. Their feelings are the Lord's feeling. Since they all do not have a peaceful feeling, I told her that she better discern the leading of the Lord. The brothers would not stop her if she insisted to go ahead and get married to the brothers in fellowship. But I warned her to be aware of God's permissibe will, but choose God's perfect will. 

And finally, I gave my testimony of how the Lord led me in my marriage and how the Lord has been blessing my marriage life and family life. Then, we prayed together over the phone that the Lord would not allow anything that is not from Him, and that His perfect will be accomplished.

I had a sweet peace and joy  as I fellowshipped with. As I fellowshipped, I even felt the Lord's presence was so rich. Words came out as a flow of living water. And I believe the sister will conser the matter carefully. May the Lord bless our sister.