So, I thought of a question that has been tugging at my heart a lot lately. I believe that we are called to continuously examine ourselves and one of the areas that I believe that is true is in our service to Christ. So far I really like the "Dangerous" book because it is challenging me in an area of personal weakness. No not just a lifestyle (because I have always seen this important) but the act of serving others. Thanks Craig for bringing that to us...... But I digress (sorry its the A.D.D) The question I have for all that I would love for you to think about and respond is this:
"As followers of Christ, how do we decipher between a passion to do something for personal enjoyment and a call from God that we should act on?"
"What if that passion doesn't really feel like an area where we are gifted?"
Originally, I asked Craig and have heard some great commentary on this from men whose opinion I value greatly. I/Craig thought all of you might also benefit from such a discussion.
Some of you might wonder where this is coming from..... Anyone else out there wonder if they are serving Christ in the correct capacity????? I wonder if drums are the way for me????? Maybe Christ is calling me to sing on the mountaintops...... Maybe playing the guitar is what I should be doing???? Anyone else????? Thoughts!!!?????
p.s. sorry if this post is an unusual form....... "I'm a Long time listener.... first time caller" I probably should be using things like idk and lol and brb bff??????
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Here I am...commenting on your post Jeff. I too like the book so far and the way that it challenges me and encourages me at the same time. I really liked all of your questions but one stuck out to me.
"What if that passion doesn't really feel like an area where we are gifted?"
I'm reminded of Moses and how God called him to go speak to Pharoh. Moses honestly told God that he didn't feel gifted in the area of speaking and God provided his brother Aaron to do the speaking for Moses. All Moses had to do was be willing. I think that if we are willing, God will use us whether we think were "gifted" or not.
Just my own personal thought.:0)
This has been a question that Ben and I have struggled with and discussed for years.
I think of Christ's disciples. Here they were, men who longed to study the word of God but were never chosen or had the opportunity--until Christ called them. They didn't question his call, they ran towards him, eager and anticipating his change in their lives.
I don't believe that God gives us desires and "lures" us towards them just to leave us stranded in a dark and lonely spot.
Deciphering God's will is hard and confusing. This has been an area of deep struggle and heartache for me during the last year. In the Old Testament, he appeared as a pillar of fire. He walked with man in the New Testament. Today, we are left with the Holy Spirit, a gentle nudging of our own spirits to guide us and lead us. How I have longed to speak with Him face to face, to feel his hand in mine, to kneel before him and wash his feet. But I can't--I'm left in a generation of believers that doesn't have such opportunities.
That said, I've come to realize that God makes specific things clear through his word. We are not left to guess at his will for our lives, to try to find the highlighted section of his roadmap for our lives. He calls us to honor him, to worship him, to pursue him, to desire him, to glorify him. I think that if we are pursuing those things in our endeavors and they are in line with his Word, we are falling in line with his will for our lives. I don't think that God sits back eagerly watching if we are going to guess correctly regarding his desires for us. He blesses us when we pursue him. Sometimes those blessings will not be seen for years, sometimes not even in our lifetime.
Pursue God, pursue your God-given inclinations and desires. These are the things he makes clear to us in his WORD, and it is the knowledge of such things and the application of such things for which we are held accountable.
Who's giggles?
"As followers of Christ, how do we decipher between a passion to do something for personal enjoyment and a call from God that we should act on?"
I myself have often struggled with the very same question. I mean I love singing, but how do I know that I'm the one supposed to be up singing instead of singing in the pews or at home? How do I know that this singing is the passion that God has given me, and that I'm supposed to use it for Him and His glory? And how do I know if I'm truly bringing Him glory when I DO sing?
I think I've finally come to the conclusion like Lindsay. God wouldn't give us these desires to serve Him and follow Him in these ways if He were just going to pull the rug out from under us. And my take is this: until He brings someone else along who wants to sing in my place, I take it as a sign that God wants me up there! haha. Either that, or the true talent isn't listening when God calls them. haha
Also, isn't it amazing what God did with those disciples that didn't make the cut and that "weren't good enough"? I mena if God can use anyone, He can certainly use us too!
I believe that giggles is the cooper known as alex.
Yes it's true....I, Alex Cooper, am giggles. Sorry. I forgot to post my real name at the end of my post.
Alex
ok jeffery now for my 2 cents(i really wanted to use the symbol but don't know how,pathetic) anywho i am glad that God gives us a passion in an area where we may/or may not be gifted. The disciples for example, He took a bunch of fisherman, a physician & a tax collector(boo)& gave them the passion to be the founders of christianity. I am sure it gave them some kind personal enjoyment to heal others and establish a tight knit loving community led by Jesus himself. btw (note the hip blogging acronym)I do not consider myself gifted, but I do consider myself blessed that God allows me to play and as an added bonus enjoy it. By the way as a side note I love the ladies comments, it never ceases to amaze me how God allows women to see things in color, while we men see black,white or grey. also i am thinking about changing my user name to the ol'ballcoach.what do you guys think?
i like what i am reading and learning from you all...
i have always thought that passions are given for our enjoyment as much as for His glory...
what i mean is, God gives us gifts in many different forms, not all of those have to be used in a centralized ministry for 1) you to enjoy using the gift and 2) Him to receive glory...maybe He just wants us to love doing He's enabled us to do...does it make it any more or less valuable when someone else is blessed by it? i don't know.
one thing i do know, God is so much more interested in a person's character than He is in any gift (or offering)...humility based offerings are the goal...
grateful to be on the journey with you all,
craig
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