“What is this I’ve heard about you—stepping down? I’m surprised. You know You have the best position around—unparalleled prestige and all the benefits anyone could ever want. Please tell me you won’t give that up.
Think of your potential, your gifts. You are more talented than anyone I know. It wouldn’t be right to let those talents go to waste.
Where you are now, you are known and respected—as you should be! But if you leave? I seriously doubt if you will get the respect you deserve anywhere else.
It’s great that you care about people—really, it is—but have you considered your finances? Working for people who can’t give you anything for your labor will not pay the bills. And I know how people are—they will take advantage of you.
And I know you—you would want to love everyone. You are the type to pour your very life out for a person, and—don’t get me wrong—that is a great quality. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Because there are people out there—lots of them—who couldn’t care less about you. The kind that will take your heart and throw it down and beat it and bruise it and leave it for dead. You deserve better than that.
I know you think I sound harsh, but this is the world we’re talking about. It’s not a nice place. Here, you have to stand up for yourself and do what’s best for you or you won’t survive. Are you prepared to do that?
Please don’t give up your position. You are the most-qualified for the job, and I’d hate to see you lose your current status. It wouldn’t be right. Please reconsider. I just want what’s best for you.”
•••
And if Jesus had listened, we would all be lost.
Gratefully His 