John Derek Campbell

A Time to Rejoice

I realize it has been some time since my last post. It has not been without something to say or write about, but instead to identify what would I truly wish to share. In early August, I submitted my four-week notice to my job. I had nothing lined up. Yet, my soul had been pulling in this direction for such a long time. Something felt “out of sync”. After a time of deliberation, I determined one morning it was time to act.

With sincere respect and admiration for my colleagues and leaders I worked with, I submitted my notice at four-weeks, instead of the typical two. I felt this would honor the appreciation that I had for my colleagues more than the two weeks. We had quite a backlog of work, after all!

Thankfully, this was well-received. The respect I received brought me incredible joy. The peace that God had filled me with and continues to fill me with confirms it was the right choice. For me, this was to be a time for a sabbatical of sorts. Indeed, I already plan to visit a monastery after American Thanksgiving. A time for quiet… a time for complete personal submission to God. Little to no talking… but time to “be still and know that [He] is God.”

The Lord is good. The Lord has provided. The Lord can always be relied upon. Not through one’s own power, but through surrender. Walk in faith, give in faith, and know that He has plans to prosper you, not to harm you.

Indeed, I feel the harvest is nigh. Either a new season is now upon me, or I firmly believe that I will see the rewards of walking not only in confidence, but rooted in faith. Like a mustard seed, not because it is tiny, but because its root system is so vast it can touch the lives of others.

Only the Holy Spirit can generate that impact and I thank God for the blessings–the fruit–that I can give to others when those opportunities arise.

Lord, thank you. I will never apologize for my belief in you and for the love you have for your children. I pray for wisdom, discernment, and the continued respect and fear of the Lord that is commanded of us. He disciplines those He loves, and He provides generously to those who faithfully believe in Him.

A Time to Pray

My prayer today is for the apostasy we witness in the church today. Hearts have grown cold. Nation rises against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Christians are turning on one another and hating one another. Let us see the error in our ways, realize our generation is as the generation of Noah, and return to You. You are our supreme King and Creator.

The peace you grant to your children still persevering to the end is beyond anything the world could hope to offer. Yet so many of us look for answers on a broken world. I pray for others to feel the same love that you have filled me with. I thank you for always being near, even during many trials, and when my own faith falters.

Our church feels broken and afflicted with corruption. Not all churches, and perhaps not even most, but many loud voices have caused deep hurt to those who seek you. Let us not twist the words of Christ and instead with genuine faith ensure we love our neighbors as ourselves… no air quotes and conditions. Even more, let us love and pray for enemies, so that they may find peace and forgiveness.

Lord, we watch also as the rich grow ever richer in their material wealth, and the poor grow increasingly poorer. The lonely feel forgotten. The sick struggle to find the care available to those with rooms adorned in gold. We look for an earthly savior, but are confused when we do not find an obvious answer.

Should we be confused as to this evidence or should the answer to such a question lie with You? Certainly the latter! You, our Savior, have not yet returned. However, we wait expectantly for the Lord’s return. Justice for the evil we have done to each other while saving the afflicted, the poor in spirit, those who keep their eyes upon you…

My prayer is that all can know the love that you truly have in these dark days. I pray you fill the dreams of all with an invitation to turn to you or otherwise keep their eyes upon you. I pray that I can act boldly instead of timidly in sharing the Gospel.

Lord thank you for your blessings. Thank you for my family, my friends, and your dependable provision. You, Lord, keep your promises, deliver me from the pit, and walk side by side with me through the valleys.

I pray all of this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Jeremiah 29:11