One of the many reasons I don’t write on here anymore is that, as self-focused as it sounds, I think far to hard about what people may think about what I’m writing. So, I end up canceling out any thoughts with silly weird arguments about why not to post something. The whole idea behind this blog in the first place was simply to write about what I was thinking, about life, about God, about people, etc… But with more and more of what I (we) are doing in the future, I feel I need to filter things far more than I would like.
I suppose the challenge is that I should write in a way that I still express myself honestly, and at the same time in a way that honors the God that I so claim to follow and love. Yet, many times the things I’m thinking about are about the disappointments of life, which are all quite real, and need to be discussed. I know there are plenty of people who appreciate the reality, but I also know (all to well) there are people who want to “make sure God is involved” – and then there’s the “You’re going to be a missionary, right?, YES! So, don’t you think you should be positive and focused on God… well yes… but…” I understand these comments, I really do, and at the same time I strive to not be religious and not be giving pat, common, text-book, Christian answers. God is far bigger than that.
So here I start on a very long, overdue, rant and soap box… however I will start with the core of my God-given heart’s desire in life…. I wrote the following and realized it was a bit convoluted, but maybe it will start some conversation, and then I can clarify with posts to address the questions and/or discussion that comes – or maybe it will just sit here and I’ll create conversation in my head and post my thoughts as I go…
The strongest passion I have for others is that they be encouraged in their walk with God, and not just in the private aspect of a relationship with God but in the ministry piece. In fact, sometimes I wonder if our walk with God is truly full unless we are actively ministering to those around us. I often find myself frustrated, disappointed, and concerned for the “Church” do to the apparent lack of concern for caring (ministry) to others. Then again, I find myself equally frustrated by myself because I myself do not step up when I know that God has given me many opportunities.
So, as a person who is fully aware of what God is calling me, and my family to do, I am constantly looking for ways to encourage others to trust God, and take risks. Many times throughout biblical stories we see the characters faced with life-changing risks. The blessings that come from following through, and having the discipline to honor God with our decisions, are more than I could ever explain in a short posting here.
The challenge every person faces come not in the big decisions, but in the everyday decisions, the choices that are presented to us when we first greet our co-workers in the morning, or how we engage in conversation with our peers. Yet there are so many forces which drive our interactions with those around us, everything from how our parents treated us, how “popular” we were in school, to poor choices and uncontrollable life circumstances that eat at our soul and take us off track.
Most of what I write is simply me processing the events that I witness, in the Church and outside the Church, as I see people of all statuses and of all walks I am humbled to know God as I do. I am challenged each day with the ideas of why has God given us, my family, the joy of having such amazing family and friends…. while others are seemingly aloof, floating around in this world without any connection points. Then I am reminded that it was because someone, at some point, obeyed God, and reached out, took a while to minister to someone, who did the same, who eventually ministered to me, and the same to Alexis.
I thank God for those that have this discipline, this passion, for I am eternally grateful. I wish to not be like these people because of these great things, I wish to do these things because our God has an amazing and wonderful life to give us, when we surrender to him. This is the heart of everything I am, want to be, and will be. I have nothing to be discouraged by, as long as I am choosing to obey and discipline myself… even then God’s grace is sufficient if I fail to meet “the mark”.
Let those that have ears hear. May those in the Church be encouraged to take the risks, the “lost” have the choice, only if they experience it though, we also have a choice – but I’m not so sure we can easily forget (that voice is pretty consistent) when we choose to ignore it.