We Are Right Where We Belong

by Wayne Faison

There are seasons in life when God situates and positions us in a specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. Such was the case for Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. God told Abram if he would go to a place that He showed him, then it would be in that place where He would cause Abram to have the greatest impact. In other words, it was God who was placing Abram right where he belonged. Genesis 12:4 tells us, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”

Interestingly, this word “went” used in this verse could have just as easily been transliterated from the original Hebrew into the English word “came.” Utilizing the word “came” in this verse rather than the word “went” provides a broader perspective on how God may have been working in Abram’s life. Could it be that “Abram came, as the Lord had told him?”

Twenty-two years ago, God moved my family and me from Ocala, Florida, to Richmond, Virginia, to serve on staff at the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). During some of my initial visits with various BGAV pastors, churches, and church leaders across the Commonwealth, I quickly realized that God had situated and positioned me in this specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. In 2002, after only a few months at BGAV, I was invited to be the main conference preacher at the 88th Annual Session of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention in Monrovia, Liberia, at the First Baptist Church of Oldest Congo Town. When I arrived, the first words out of the mouths of the church leaders that hosted me were “Thank you for coming!” So, here I was thinking that I was “going” to Liberia, when in actuality, I was “coming” to Liberia.

Fast forwarding to 2023: Although I have ministered in Virginia for over two decades now, for those who were born in Virginia, I am often still considered as a “come here.” Early in my ministerial career here in the Commonwealth, I would often view such a label as a slight snub. But now I have learned to embrace such a label as a term of endearment. Why? Because I truly believe that God has placed me right where I belong. I find these words also as words of encouragement for local church pastors and leaders who have been called to their respective local communities and contexts. I firmly believe that God has situated and positioned every local church pastor and leader in their specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. You are right where you belong.

When God called you, He not only called you to “go,” but just like Abram, He called you to “come.” Therefore, we celebrate with you that you not only “went” to your current place of ministry, as the Lord told you; but more so, you “came.” And trust me, you are making such an impactful difference in the world from the moment you “came” to your current local church setting. As I continue to settle into my current role as the new executive director of BGAV/Ascent, I would like to take this opportunity to tell every local church pastor and leader, “Thank you for coming!” You are right where you belong!