Missions has been a large theme in my life lately... the last year and a bit. I feel the call to be more than someone who gets comfy in the church atmosphere... to not just find enough warm fuzzies from serving in the Christian community and feel like I am living out my grand purpose. I have been reading this book Live Life On Purpose by Claude Hickman. It is driving me nuts because some questions that I have been asking long term but have managed to file away because I have no answers. Well now they are published and staring at me in the face. Teasing me ... "we are not going away". Not only the book but there are all these people and situations that keep adding to the same itch. There is more to life than what I am living...
"I planned my life around the things that God was silent about instead of what He was clear about in his wrod. I was on the wrong path, not because the path was bad, but because God has designed me for another great journey. I resolved that to walk a"good" path, but not God's, was in end a wasted life. Many students I talk to are lcinging to old maps that they have for their lives... The maps are leading toward the destination of riches, security, fame, pleasure, status and the praise of men. The status quo of getting a job, getting married, having 2.5 kids, the picket fence, two cars, going to church on Sundays... it is not bad, but has little to do with the journey that God is laying out for us to join. For some, their map is even an old calling from God that they can't let go of. When you learn new facts about the world and new insights into how God is moving, you must be willing to hear a new calling from God and let him give you a new map... People get trapped by their maps. ...People begin to invest so much in the form of time and energy in their degrees, careers, advancements, and positions that there is no freedom to make a "full withdrawal". ... One reason we cling to our maps is the map is secure... we may have a great map but if it is the wrong destination, we lose in the end."
The other thing that has really been bothering me but I am so engrossed in because its apart of our culture is consumerism. It has plagued our churches... to the point that we church shop based on how much we like the preacher or music, how much we are entertained and meets our needs. Going to the 2/3 world... there is such a different picture of church community that sticks together no matter what and lives life together daily in a truer faith and dependance than I see here. So why are we going to them to do missions? Maybe we need them more.
Another thing that is bothering me is how eveything in church seems so much done in our own knowledge and skill and schedule. Where is room for the Supernatural? Are we being led by the Holy Spirit? I don't feel anyone encouraging or challenging me in this department. I am trying to challenge my youth but I am such a poor example. As it is so easy to lvie out what is being modelled.
Also I feel as challenged by our youth theme this year... Be The Change. If I expect my youth do this but how am I doing it first. I am not. Well maybe a littl but not to my potential. This isn't a not doing enough to earn my God's love guilt either but a deep desire for more than what i am living. There has to be more than this... but am I willing to go through the discipline and suffering that comes with more? So far as much as I want to say yes, the answer is obvious as i make little effort to increase my studies or get off the couche at night.
God help me!
"I planned my life around the things that God was silent about instead of what He was clear about in his wrod. I was on the wrong path, not because the path was bad, but because God has designed me for another great journey. I resolved that to walk a"good" path, but not God's, was in end a wasted life. Many students I talk to are lcinging to old maps that they have for their lives... The maps are leading toward the destination of riches, security, fame, pleasure, status and the praise of men. The status quo of getting a job, getting married, having 2.5 kids, the picket fence, two cars, going to church on Sundays... it is not bad, but has little to do with the journey that God is laying out for us to join. For some, their map is even an old calling from God that they can't let go of. When you learn new facts about the world and new insights into how God is moving, you must be willing to hear a new calling from God and let him give you a new map... People get trapped by their maps. ...People begin to invest so much in the form of time and energy in their degrees, careers, advancements, and positions that there is no freedom to make a "full withdrawal". ... One reason we cling to our maps is the map is secure... we may have a great map but if it is the wrong destination, we lose in the end."
The other thing that has really been bothering me but I am so engrossed in because its apart of our culture is consumerism. It has plagued our churches... to the point that we church shop based on how much we like the preacher or music, how much we are entertained and meets our needs. Going to the 2/3 world... there is such a different picture of church community that sticks together no matter what and lives life together daily in a truer faith and dependance than I see here. So why are we going to them to do missions? Maybe we need them more.
Another thing that is bothering me is how eveything in church seems so much done in our own knowledge and skill and schedule. Where is room for the Supernatural? Are we being led by the Holy Spirit? I don't feel anyone encouraging or challenging me in this department. I am trying to challenge my youth but I am such a poor example. As it is so easy to lvie out what is being modelled.
Also I feel as challenged by our youth theme this year... Be The Change. If I expect my youth do this but how am I doing it first. I am not. Well maybe a littl but not to my potential. This isn't a not doing enough to earn my God's love guilt either but a deep desire for more than what i am living. There has to be more than this... but am I willing to go through the discipline and suffering that comes with more? So far as much as I want to say yes, the answer is obvious as i make little effort to increase my studies or get off the couche at night.
God help me!
