Over the years I have struggled with trying to figure out what God has "called" me to do. When I first became a christian, I read every book I could that addressed finding your spiritual gifts and using them. I took a class or two and did spiritual gift tests, all with the expectation of walking away with a clear understanding of what it was God wanted me to do. What I found instead was that I was spending all of my time seeking and none of it doing. Feelings of inadequacy and doubt sometimes entered in as I sought to find my place. I knew what I had a desire to do, but then I would question, "Is this God's desire for me or just my own sense of purpose that I need to fill?" How confusing!!
Over time as I have matured in my walk, and have learned to seek God alone, I have learned that the "call" isn't the ministry or the service we do for others, but the command and the desire for our undivided attention to God. That may sound simplistic, but that knowledge has allowed me to exchange my feeling of inadequacy and doubt for confidence and a sense peace within me.
While reading my latest issue of Christian Counseling Today a magazine put out by the American Association of Christian Counselors, I came upon an article written by Diane Langberg a well known phycologist and author on the subject of Surviving Sexual Abuse. The article was titled, Sexual abuse and the Call To Ethical Character. One particular section really stood out to me. It was labled The Call and it said,
" What is the primary call of the Church today? Is it to evangelize, to hold to pure doctrine, to increase in numbers, to be big and successful, to help the sick and suffering of this world? When Jesus first called His disciples, to what did He call them--- a profession, a creed, a task? No, He first and foremost called them to Himself."
Powerful words, and I couldn't agree more. In Phillipians Paul says, " I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus".(3:14) God does not desire the goal to be degrees or money, or reputation, but love and obedience to Him. That is "The Call".
Monday, August 29, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
We ARE Each Others Business
While watching the local news the other day,I was struck by a statement made by a woman who was commenting on a tragedy that had occured next door to her. A woman had killed her own child. An act unfathomable to most of us. But instead of judging and condemning this woman, her neighbor was displaying compassion. She stated "apparantly this women was in desperate need of help". and then proceeded to somewhat rally support for her. "We are each other's business", is what she said.
So I started to really mediatate on those words and then decided to try and live up to them. It was a serious challenge! (sad but true). I began my week by making myself more available and praying for opportunities. The first occured on Monday evening, just as I was headed out the door to go grocery shopping, a friend called and needed to "vent". I set my list down and we began a conversation. Two hours later we hung up and it was a little to late for a shopping trip. I decided to wait until Tuesday. I got off work, came home and gathered up my list, just as I was walking out the door the phone rang. It was friend I hadn't heard from in a while. Once again I sat down and we talked. After an hour I was out the door and on to the store. I wasn't feeling all that well so figured a quick in and out trip would work well. As I was loading my milk into the cart I noticed some one just standing to my right. When I looked up, there was a young man that used to bowl with Andy and I in summer leagues. He also worked with Andy at Giant Food. I asked him how he was doing and learned that him and his wife were about to have there second baby, and his new job at Best Buy (where Andy now works) was going well. We probably stood there talking for a good forty five minutes before I finished my shopping. (So much for the quick trip).
As I look back over the past week, I realized that though I didn't accomplish much of my "to do" list, I learned alot about people I really care about and my prayer's were much more focused on the needs of others instead of myself.
It becomes so easy to "hide" within our little worlds. With caller I.D it is so easy to screen calls and follow up when it is convenient for us, when the person calling may need help now. We know so little about our neighbors or even those we work with. Even family members are little more than names on our Christmas card lists.
How then are we to pray, if we are unaware of the need?
Just as Cain callously replied to the Lord, "Am I My brothers keeper?" when asked where his brother Abel was, I often hear the same question asked when one inquires about another, as if they are responsible for the others actions.
I believe that the answer to that question is yes. Not that we can control anothers behavior, but we should at the very least pay attention to the need and offer help when neccessary. In that sense, we are indeed each others business.
So I started to really mediatate on those words and then decided to try and live up to them. It was a serious challenge! (sad but true). I began my week by making myself more available and praying for opportunities. The first occured on Monday evening, just as I was headed out the door to go grocery shopping, a friend called and needed to "vent". I set my list down and we began a conversation. Two hours later we hung up and it was a little to late for a shopping trip. I decided to wait until Tuesday. I got off work, came home and gathered up my list, just as I was walking out the door the phone rang. It was friend I hadn't heard from in a while. Once again I sat down and we talked. After an hour I was out the door and on to the store. I wasn't feeling all that well so figured a quick in and out trip would work well. As I was loading my milk into the cart I noticed some one just standing to my right. When I looked up, there was a young man that used to bowl with Andy and I in summer leagues. He also worked with Andy at Giant Food. I asked him how he was doing and learned that him and his wife were about to have there second baby, and his new job at Best Buy (where Andy now works) was going well. We probably stood there talking for a good forty five minutes before I finished my shopping. (So much for the quick trip).
As I look back over the past week, I realized that though I didn't accomplish much of my "to do" list, I learned alot about people I really care about and my prayer's were much more focused on the needs of others instead of myself.
It becomes so easy to "hide" within our little worlds. With caller I.D it is so easy to screen calls and follow up when it is convenient for us, when the person calling may need help now. We know so little about our neighbors or even those we work with. Even family members are little more than names on our Christmas card lists.
How then are we to pray, if we are unaware of the need?
Just as Cain callously replied to the Lord, "Am I My brothers keeper?" when asked where his brother Abel was, I often hear the same question asked when one inquires about another, as if they are responsible for the others actions.
I believe that the answer to that question is yes. Not that we can control anothers behavior, but we should at the very least pay attention to the need and offer help when neccessary. In that sense, we are indeed each others business.
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