Dear Squad,
I don’t know you, we’ve never met. But I know you.
In a meeting today I heard that your squad is having some people sent home and my heart dropped. As the information settled in I could feel the weight of sadness that has surely overpowered your squad.
I don’t know your situation and I don’t know the “why” behind the sending. But what I do know is your pain.
It’s likely your squad is up in arms about this. There’s probably a spirit of confusion, betrayal, anger, sadness, weakness, disappointment, frustration, loneliness, and panic. Many of you might feel the need to fight for justice or for protection. If you had unity it probably feels as though every ounce of it just shattered.
I say all this because I come from a squad that is well known for the multiple men that got sent home and the dramatics that followed.
It felt as though we had our “right arm ripped off.” I will never forget the night it happened. It scared me. The event is now a part of my story. It’s one of those scars people see and immediately want to know what happened, and how I got through it.
I don’t have a procedure to get through. There is no checklist for healing. But what you have is a community of you who truly know the authentic pain you have. What you are experiencing, you are experiencing with a group. Don’t neglect that, don’t push it away, and don’t let your pride put your pain on a pedestal.
If you feel this deeper then the rest – let them in. Don’t push them away with the justification that your pain is worse, that it is deeper, and it is unlike theirs.
Morn the loses you are experiencing (Matthew 5:4). Let your teammates see just how deep it is. Show them, don’t tell them.
As you move forward from this event, do so with arms linked. Huddle together, make a plan and do not let this divide you. All of you are on the Race for Kingdom sake, so let the glory of the Lord shine through your difficulties, even the internal ones.
When you walk into your next ministry, plan to serve well. Do not allow yourself to go on “autopilot” but rather serve for the sake of those who have left. Do not let their legacy become one that hinders the name of Jesus. Do not let bitterness rule what’s left in this Race set before you. You are not done, and your deeds will demonstrate your faith (James 2:14-26).
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Pray and pray hard. Pray for the hearts of those leaving. Pray for open, welcoming, and compassionate families that will be receiving your teammates. Pray for unity amongst you. Pray a prayer of defense – you are about to be attacked (Ephesians 4:27). Pray over your leadership. Lay your SELF down and lift up your leaders. Finally, don’t pray a prayer of “why” but rather seek the Lord in “how will He redeem this.”
Sincerely,
Someone you don’t know
P.S. Lean not on your own understanding…
