Friday, August 19, 2011
Sportscenter, Here I Come!!!
So I think God has given me some direction. Let's take a look back at where we've come from before we get to where we're going, shall we???
God called me to ministry within the local church to train & equip teenagers to know God through a relationship enabled by Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit DAILY. That's where I'm at. I always wondered where God would send me next. I mean, let's be real, my days working with teenagers were limited from the beginning. Not many teenagers really get hyped for a 57-year-old youth minister!!! So, I've always wondered what God wants me to do when He calls me out of student (teenage) ministry.
That's where we've been.
I think this is where we're headed:
The call to work with teenagers will shift at some point, and once again, when I ask "What's next?" God gives me answers that only make sense in reverse (Mongoose). Today, I believe God has given me that direction.
Sports Analyst.
And if you want specifics, it's probably got something to do with the NFL. That's right, I'll be breaking down games, previewing the draft, reporting on the latest trades and league rumors, position battles, and all kinds of fun stuff!! Maybe the 2 of you that read this blog (one being mom) might be wondering how I came to this conclusion. Allow me to tell you: I feel that God wants my next position He calls me to is one where my opinion is valued. Think about it: these sports guys report what happened and spend the majority of their time telling you what THEY THINK about the move/game/trade/pick/decision. And that's what they get paid for!! AWESOME!!!!
In my current role, I am blessed to serve with an incredible staff of Spirit led, Christ-following, God Lovers that enrich my life daily through Christ in them. I am also blessed to walk alongside some incredible teenagers that are passionately humbled by the love of the Father. And these people make life INCREDIBLE! The students, the staff, adults who love Christ and follow His leading in their lives inspire me HOURLY with their lives, words, actions, attitudes, joys, sorrows, and beauty.
Granted, not every student and adult here fit into that category. This excites me!! It tells me that my job is not complete.
But given the opportunity to involve my passion with my opinion (as it comes out of my mouth in the form of grammar and understanding of Scripture), the current environment is not exactly conducive to such. This truth is proven repeatedly, and evidenced by many people that wouldn't waste their time with such a petty blog!! And that's ok. The problem is where the results of my opinion affects my family and own ability to worship. See, in most churches, people (who may or may not be followers of Christ, depending on their fruit) bring their AGENDAS to God's house and people and expect them to take priority over God's Word. Unfortunately, I have been one of these people before. It's a sickening feeling that will not go away without a bloodbath (that's "Washed in the Blood of the Lamb" for those of you not following me...mom). And when something is said from a microphone that is not in-line with their AGENDA, be it personal or large-scale, things can get ugly. Quick.
I mean, shouldn't ministers just 'stick to the script'? And 'the script' looks something like this: Preach a message that occasionally steps on my toes; be there when I want something spiritual; visit me or anyone I care about in the hospital with 3 hours of being admitted; adjust your life and schedule to mold to my desires or AGENDA; smile at me all the time; tell at least one joke a week; do what you can to promote ME personally; make me look important in the eyes of those who sit in the pew with me (I am more important, y'know); wear what I deem acceptable without me telling you what that looks like; work for as little as possible so I don't HAVE to tithe if something else is more worthy of my money (after all, since I tithe, you work for ME!); don't make me uncomfortable; don't ask me to do anything, someone younger can do that (don't you know I have a job and family...duh!); pray for my happiness all day long; answer the phone whenever I call; don't take a vacation because I might need you...for something; say what I've always heard and mostly believe; and other than these, leave me alone.
So if that's the script I'm supposed to stick to, then I believe I'd rather read from a teleprompter...about sports.
IMPORTANT: For both of my readers, I'm not about to get out of ministry or leave the church or quit my position here to pursue a career in sports analyst or anything else!! This article was a semi-satire to voice my displeasure with those church-goers that do not value Christ at work in their lives or the desires of the Holy Spirit to lead them into the Incredible we were all created for. My heart breaks, but I know my Redeemer lives!! And that in the end He will stand upon the Earth! (Shouts, J-O-B!!!) Now, let's shed our agendas and be about Christ in our lives with a servant's heart to show others how to be set free from their own!!!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Victorious Failure
Everyone wants to succeed. I mean think about it. Everyone wants to:
-Throw/Catch the winning touchdown
-Star in the biggest blockbuster ever
-Win a famous award
-Write & perform the greatest song ever
-Capture the heart of the most beautiful person ever...and make everyone else jealous
-Win the title
-Write the next NY Times Bestseller
-Or whatever else you're into, you want to be recognized as the best.
And I personally don't think anything is wrong with that. I love it. I hope that whatever you do, you strive to be the best and give it all you can with all your heart and never quit or give up. Now, keep in mind, the only way to be the best is to recognize what is better than you, then discover how and allow that to challenge and grow you. In brief, the best way to be the greatest is to be the most observant when it comes to your worst.
But first you must admit and accept that you are not the best. It would probably help you to know that you're more than likely not in the Top 10 either! As a matter of fact, the greatest way to improve is to stress your faults and weaknesses with the mindset of turning them into your strengths.
Winston Churchill once said, "Success is moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm." What I love about this statement is that achievement is never mentioned or glorified. He talks about a repetitive failure.
Here's another one for you: Mister Rogers writes in his memoirs that when he was starting out as a songwriter that he thought he had some great songs. As a matter of fact, he had about 10 or 12 great songs that he believed would be AWESOME for children's listening and entertainment. He writes that he travelled to New York to try and find an audience with someone, ANYONE, who would listen to and produce his songs. While he was in the Big Apple, he actually met and visited with a great singer/songwriter in the area of children's entertainment who had been highly successful in that profession. Of course, Mr. Rogers listened to the wisdom and tales of experience the man had to offer. After a while, Mr. Rogers asked the man if he would give a listen to good ol' Fred's songs. The successful singer/songwriter said, "Sure thing! How many you got?" Mr. Rogers writes that he was very proud when he replied, "About 10 or 12." The veteran writer sympathetically smiled. Mr. Rogers writes that instantly he recognized that it wasn't a good sign. The voice of experience then told him that in order to be great, he needed to have about one-to-two HUNDRED songs before he could consider himself a serious singer/songwriter. While Mr. Rogers was floored and walked away discouraged, he recognized the truth in what the successful man said and recognized his own shortcomings (and embarrassment) of not being prepared to show true dedication to his craft. I believe at some point, Mr. Rogers figured it out and became somewhat successful...but not until he recognized his own failures.
Everyone wants to succeed, but not everyone wants to endure the humiliation of failure. You've heard the stats: the homerun King, Babe Ruth, is also the strikeout king. The King of Touchdown passes (Brett Favre) also leads the NFL Record books with the most number of interceptions thrown. The list goes on and on: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ludwig von Beethoven...all failures, time and time again, who refused to let failure define them, but to shape them.
Now think about this: What if your frequent failure continues because God is trying to show you something? What if God WANTS you to fail? What if the greatest thing you could do for Him at this time in your life...is to FAIL?!? I know, I know -- I can hear you now: "God loves me and wants to see me succeed in all I do blah blah blah, because I blah blah blah..." Whatever. Now think about this: God wants you to bring the best of you to the table. He asks for your commitment, dedication, obedience, love...but where does He say anything about guaranteeing success, or demands you to only show up when you have your stuff together and bring the most success you can accomplish?
No where.
Not once.
Not at all.
He asks for your commitment to Him, not your trophies. He calls for obedience, not awards. He desires your heart...not the worldly definition of your interpretation of success. Look, God doesn't need your skill or success. As a matter of fact, He doesn't need you at all. He gives you the opportunity to be a part of His story, His world, His success! Look in Scripture, apart from Jesus, every person in Scripture is typically there for their FAILURES more than their successes. Call 'em out: David, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Paul, Jonah, Noah, Samson, Moses...the list goes on and on. Perhaps they're in Scripture to show and teach us of God's GRACE, not man's GREATS. Sure, these guys tasted what could be considered 'success,' but not until God showed up.
So embrace your failures. Accept your shortcomings. Recognize that others are better than you. Understand there's more for you to know and ways to improve. Expect failure!! You know what, EMBRACE failure!! See it as God's invitation and opportunity to bring success into your little world. Claim victory in the areas that you suck at. Allow God to be God, the success, the victory, the completion, the fullness, the right-maker, the problem-solver, and the embodiment of the only victory you can taste. See your failures as the next big way God wants to show up in your life.
Perhaps when we grasp and desire that, we might get one step closer to getting it right.
-Throw/Catch the winning touchdown
-Star in the biggest blockbuster ever
-Win a famous award
-Write & perform the greatest song ever
-Capture the heart of the most beautiful person ever...and make everyone else jealous
-Win the title
-Write the next NY Times Bestseller
-Or whatever else you're into, you want to be recognized as the best.
And I personally don't think anything is wrong with that. I love it. I hope that whatever you do, you strive to be the best and give it all you can with all your heart and never quit or give up. Now, keep in mind, the only way to be the best is to recognize what is better than you, then discover how and allow that to challenge and grow you. In brief, the best way to be the greatest is to be the most observant when it comes to your worst.
But first you must admit and accept that you are not the best. It would probably help you to know that you're more than likely not in the Top 10 either! As a matter of fact, the greatest way to improve is to stress your faults and weaknesses with the mindset of turning them into your strengths.
Winston Churchill once said, "Success is moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm." What I love about this statement is that achievement is never mentioned or glorified. He talks about a repetitive failure.
Here's another one for you: Mister Rogers writes in his memoirs that when he was starting out as a songwriter that he thought he had some great songs. As a matter of fact, he had about 10 or 12 great songs that he believed would be AWESOME for children's listening and entertainment. He writes that he travelled to New York to try and find an audience with someone, ANYONE, who would listen to and produce his songs. While he was in the Big Apple, he actually met and visited with a great singer/songwriter in the area of children's entertainment who had been highly successful in that profession. Of course, Mr. Rogers listened to the wisdom and tales of experience the man had to offer. After a while, Mr. Rogers asked the man if he would give a listen to good ol' Fred's songs. The successful singer/songwriter said, "Sure thing! How many you got?" Mr. Rogers writes that he was very proud when he replied, "About 10 or 12." The veteran writer sympathetically smiled. Mr. Rogers writes that instantly he recognized that it wasn't a good sign. The voice of experience then told him that in order to be great, he needed to have about one-to-two HUNDRED songs before he could consider himself a serious singer/songwriter. While Mr. Rogers was floored and walked away discouraged, he recognized the truth in what the successful man said and recognized his own shortcomings (and embarrassment) of not being prepared to show true dedication to his craft. I believe at some point, Mr. Rogers figured it out and became somewhat successful...but not until he recognized his own failures.
Everyone wants to succeed, but not everyone wants to endure the humiliation of failure. You've heard the stats: the homerun King, Babe Ruth, is also the strikeout king. The King of Touchdown passes (Brett Favre) also leads the NFL Record books with the most number of interceptions thrown. The list goes on and on: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ludwig von Beethoven...all failures, time and time again, who refused to let failure define them, but to shape them.
Now think about this: What if your frequent failure continues because God is trying to show you something? What if God WANTS you to fail? What if the greatest thing you could do for Him at this time in your life...is to FAIL?!? I know, I know -- I can hear you now: "God loves me and wants to see me succeed in all I do blah blah blah, because I blah blah blah..." Whatever. Now think about this: God wants you to bring the best of you to the table. He asks for your commitment, dedication, obedience, love...but where does He say anything about guaranteeing success, or demands you to only show up when you have your stuff together and bring the most success you can accomplish?
No where.
Not once.
Not at all.
He asks for your commitment to Him, not your trophies. He calls for obedience, not awards. He desires your heart...not the worldly definition of your interpretation of success. Look, God doesn't need your skill or success. As a matter of fact, He doesn't need you at all. He gives you the opportunity to be a part of His story, His world, His success! Look in Scripture, apart from Jesus, every person in Scripture is typically there for their FAILURES more than their successes. Call 'em out: David, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Paul, Jonah, Noah, Samson, Moses...the list goes on and on. Perhaps they're in Scripture to show and teach us of God's GRACE, not man's GREATS. Sure, these guys tasted what could be considered 'success,' but not until God showed up.
So embrace your failures. Accept your shortcomings. Recognize that others are better than you. Understand there's more for you to know and ways to improve. Expect failure!! You know what, EMBRACE failure!! See it as God's invitation and opportunity to bring success into your little world. Claim victory in the areas that you suck at. Allow God to be God, the success, the victory, the completion, the fullness, the right-maker, the problem-solver, and the embodiment of the only victory you can taste. See your failures as the next big way God wants to show up in your life.
Perhaps when we grasp and desire that, we might get one step closer to getting it right.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Let's Face(book) the Facts
Two things that jump out at me dealing with teenagers and the first week of school as evidenced by Facebook:
1) Suddenly, it is of the utmost importance to make Facebook nation painfully aware of your Single relationship status, mainly because with the first week of school I've noticed about 275639113 "Relationship Status Updates" that so-and-so is now in a relationship with somebody new. And this will change again by the NEXT Friday (I'm looking at you, Jr. High). I never knew summer was so lonely...
2) I have already gotten about as many "invites" from random students to join their yearbook cookie bake sale sports team in farmville over facebook. Seriously? Know this: Facebook IS available during summer, and no, we're still not interested in building a farm next to yours. Good luck with the rain season...
1) Suddenly, it is of the utmost importance to make Facebook nation painfully aware of your Single relationship status, mainly because with the first week of school I've noticed about 275639113 "Relationship Status Updates" that so-and-so is now in a relationship with somebody new. And this will change again by the NEXT Friday (I'm looking at you, Jr. High). I never knew summer was so lonely...
2) I have already gotten about as many "invites" from random students to join their yearbook cookie bake sale sports team in farmville over facebook. Seriously? Know this: Facebook IS available during summer, and no, we're still not interested in building a farm next to yours. Good luck with the rain season...
Monday, August 9, 2010
"Are we...dipping skinny?"
I love that commercial...
Integrity is an important thing, but to quote a more infamous band who will be playing the HOB without my presence, "you don't know whatcha got 'til it's gone."
Over and over in Seminary we were told to always be aware of "the appearance of evil." In other words, it's not just stay away from bad decisions, but stay away from scenarios that might even RESEMBLE bad decisions. Don't do anything that might lead 'observers' to assume you're compromising Christ in your life.
I'm not the best at it, but it's a consistent thought in my mind. I try to be aware of my integrity, but often times it's when I really botch it up that I'm most painfully aware of it...or lack of it. What compromises integrity? How about lying, cheating, stealing, doing things to sacrifice trust, broken promises, two-faced living, being fake, going back on your word...you get the idea. Like I said, I fall short often...more often than I like to admit, I suppose.
But what happens when me (flawed human being who has ridiculously sacrificed integrity for fun or personal gain on more than one occasion) recognizes a lack of or broken integrity in another's life?? It's not like I have it all together, but to see a brother or sister in Christ who is willingly, consistently, and happily sacrificing and compromising integrity for the sake of pride and personal gain really bothers me to the point of intervention. I want to say something...but is it my place--one who has done it and is guilty of it regularly, but not proud of it??
Disgusting. How can I help someone else see something in their life that I don't enjoy seeing in mine without sacrificing integrity, yet living it out at the same time?
I am flawed.
And I need your help.
Help me out if you have any ideas.
I suppose I need to just lay myself bare at the Feet of those I am unworthy to wash. Lay bare.
So I guess I just need to go out there and try...dipping skinny.
I am so lame.
Integrity is an important thing, but to quote a more infamous band who will be playing the HOB without my presence, "you don't know whatcha got 'til it's gone."
Over and over in Seminary we were told to always be aware of "the appearance of evil." In other words, it's not just stay away from bad decisions, but stay away from scenarios that might even RESEMBLE bad decisions. Don't do anything that might lead 'observers' to assume you're compromising Christ in your life.
I'm not the best at it, but it's a consistent thought in my mind. I try to be aware of my integrity, but often times it's when I really botch it up that I'm most painfully aware of it...or lack of it. What compromises integrity? How about lying, cheating, stealing, doing things to sacrifice trust, broken promises, two-faced living, being fake, going back on your word...you get the idea. Like I said, I fall short often...more often than I like to admit, I suppose.
But what happens when me (flawed human being who has ridiculously sacrificed integrity for fun or personal gain on more than one occasion) recognizes a lack of or broken integrity in another's life?? It's not like I have it all together, but to see a brother or sister in Christ who is willingly, consistently, and happily sacrificing and compromising integrity for the sake of pride and personal gain really bothers me to the point of intervention. I want to say something...but is it my place--one who has done it and is guilty of it regularly, but not proud of it??
Disgusting. How can I help someone else see something in their life that I don't enjoy seeing in mine without sacrificing integrity, yet living it out at the same time?
I am flawed.
And I need your help.
Help me out if you have any ideas.
I suppose I need to just lay myself bare at the Feet of those I am unworthy to wash. Lay bare.
So I guess I just need to go out there and try...dipping skinny.
I am so lame.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Summers, Age, and a farewell to a certain Mr. Marsten...
Just stopping by for quick howdy...
I cannot believe that we are only days away from the end of summer. Of course, my education-oriented friends will not be excited about this reminder, but the truth remains. In the words of my old NFG, "It's been a summer..."
Lynchburg, Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia; Winnsboro and Lake Murray, South Carolina (upcoming); combined with a North Carolina camping trip, deeper, and a week-long speaking deal doesn't leave much room for down time. I'm thankful...but I'm tired. I love it and would have it no other way, but all this going has brought two undeniable truths to light in my life:
1) I'm getting older.
2) I miss my family.
For the first time in my adult life, last week I was accused of being older than my actual age. Granted, it was only a one year difference (technically a 3-month difference, according to my wife), but still, an accusation that is difficult to bear. I am being reminded at an accelerating rate that I am aging/getting older (Thanks, Jon & Richie) and it's not entirely awesome. My body itself is telling me that I'm no longer 19 1/2 years old. I'm bad out of shape and I'm more...fragile (not the Italian version either). I think I have a broke bone in my foot and can no longer bend my right wrist beyond 30 degrees. I know. Sad. I can't even outrun the fat kids anymore in freeze tag. (little SL Neil reference for yous)
And when I can actually duct tape my body for it to hold together long enough, I find it more difficult to fully enjoy these ventures. Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the stories that God has written and to see my part in them. I wouldn't trade it for the world. The one thing that's different now than 5 years ago is my family. I'm an independent guy. I can hang and chill on my own or with the guys all night long, with a little left in the morning (even if it will take 3 days to get over staying up all night...another sign). However, it's hard to fully unpack when my wife and daughter are two states, counties, or zip codes away. I want them with me, but most youth camps don't exactly cater to 20 month-olds who can't deal with super loud noises and go to bed at 8:00 p.m. after she's had her milk, which needs to be refrigerated...in a non-provided fridge that every youth boarding joint provides. Yeah, difficult. Combined with the awesome single beds everyone sleeps in, which are perfect when said 20 month-old decides she's in a strange environment at 3:46 in the morning and won't stop crying until she's surrounded by something familiar...like the comfort of being in bed with mommy or daddy..a single bed with mommy or daddy. Awesome.
Am I complaining?? No...just pointing out a few details in my life that remind me about summers...and age.
Which brings me to my final point: John Marston. Thanks for the horse rides, the hunting trips, the random strangers you'd meet, and the awesome voice. Even if I speak for myself, you will be missed. May your son carry on your legacy...and somehow learn to talk like a man.
I cannot believe that we are only days away from the end of summer. Of course, my education-oriented friends will not be excited about this reminder, but the truth remains. In the words of my old NFG, "It's been a summer..."
Lynchburg, Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia; Winnsboro and Lake Murray, South Carolina (upcoming); combined with a North Carolina camping trip, deeper, and a week-long speaking deal doesn't leave much room for down time. I'm thankful...but I'm tired. I love it and would have it no other way, but all this going has brought two undeniable truths to light in my life:
1) I'm getting older.
2) I miss my family.
For the first time in my adult life, last week I was accused of being older than my actual age. Granted, it was only a one year difference (technically a 3-month difference, according to my wife), but still, an accusation that is difficult to bear. I am being reminded at an accelerating rate that I am aging/getting older (Thanks, Jon & Richie) and it's not entirely awesome. My body itself is telling me that I'm no longer 19 1/2 years old. I'm bad out of shape and I'm more...fragile (not the Italian version either). I think I have a broke bone in my foot and can no longer bend my right wrist beyond 30 degrees. I know. Sad. I can't even outrun the fat kids anymore in freeze tag. (little SL Neil reference for yous)
And when I can actually duct tape my body for it to hold together long enough, I find it more difficult to fully enjoy these ventures. Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the stories that God has written and to see my part in them. I wouldn't trade it for the world. The one thing that's different now than 5 years ago is my family. I'm an independent guy. I can hang and chill on my own or with the guys all night long, with a little left in the morning (even if it will take 3 days to get over staying up all night...another sign). However, it's hard to fully unpack when my wife and daughter are two states, counties, or zip codes away. I want them with me, but most youth camps don't exactly cater to 20 month-olds who can't deal with super loud noises and go to bed at 8:00 p.m. after she's had her milk, which needs to be refrigerated...in a non-provided fridge that every youth boarding joint provides. Yeah, difficult. Combined with the awesome single beds everyone sleeps in, which are perfect when said 20 month-old decides she's in a strange environment at 3:46 in the morning and won't stop crying until she's surrounded by something familiar...like the comfort of being in bed with mommy or daddy..a single bed with mommy or daddy. Awesome.
Am I complaining?? No...just pointing out a few details in my life that remind me about summers...and age.
Which brings me to my final point: John Marston. Thanks for the horse rides, the hunting trips, the random strangers you'd meet, and the awesome voice. Even if I speak for myself, you will be missed. May your son carry on your legacy...and somehow learn to talk like a man.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Someday Sermon
If you preach, please don't steal this...
On second thought, take it and run with it, but only if it's biblical instead of a mindless rant from a guy that's far from figured it out.
Every now and then, God gives me an example from my life to teach me something. Imagine that. The latest (today) is no different.
Y'know, as a vocational minister (if that is an actual term that isolates one profession from another rather than the lifestyle Christ-followers are called and created to live), it's easy to get somewhat frustrated with oneself and others. It's those moments that God really likes to get my attention (give you three guesses how!) and show me that I have no right. I'm a sinner. I struggle with doing the right thing. I fail frequently. I succeed on rare occasion. But here's what I've seen in my life and get disgusted with myself over.
I want God, through my relationship with Him through Christ and being guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, to change my life. Seriously. I love my life and am so filled with joy with the things and ways God has proven Himself over and over and over and over again in it. But I need change in my life to show Him the love I have for Him. I want God to change my life. Daily. Hourly, even. Change my life. This is and should be a common prayer and desire we Christ-followers should have. "God, change my life." Not a prayer of bail out, but one of dedication and desire for the perfection Christ lived. Sure, on a long enough timeline, I will fail. But that doesn't change my desire to want to stretch that timeline as thin as I've never stretched it before. God, change my life. And as I attempted to honestly pray this today, God showed me the error of my arrogance and dishonesty. How many times have I prayed, sought after, begged, pleaded, and so on for God to change my life, yet when presented with that opportunity to change, I quit. I backed down. I walked away from the proposal. What I meant when I "prayed" wasn't really for God to change my life, but rather to change my circumstances. Change the temporary. Change the little things I want different, regardless of why they exist in the first place. How pathetic...
We Christ-followers get caught up in the prayer implying "God, change my circumstances," when we say, "God, change my life." The 'change my life' prayer is very intimidating and can be scary...when we lack faith. But it's easy for us to see the little things (inconveniences that God probably placed there for His glory, by the way) that we want a specific desired outcome for, rather than live out a God engineered design that requires us to do what we don't want to do (shout, Paul).
Do you really want God to change your life to look more like Christ's? Or are you simply wussing out and implying for God to just change your circumstances? Do you have faith that God wants something BIGGER for your life than you do? Do you even have a clue what a changed LIFE looks like (i.e. - Have you ever let Him really do it?)???
What are you waiting for...
...chicken?
On second thought, take it and run with it, but only if it's biblical instead of a mindless rant from a guy that's far from figured it out.
Every now and then, God gives me an example from my life to teach me something. Imagine that. The latest (today) is no different.
Y'know, as a vocational minister (if that is an actual term that isolates one profession from another rather than the lifestyle Christ-followers are called and created to live), it's easy to get somewhat frustrated with oneself and others. It's those moments that God really likes to get my attention (give you three guesses how!) and show me that I have no right. I'm a sinner. I struggle with doing the right thing. I fail frequently. I succeed on rare occasion. But here's what I've seen in my life and get disgusted with myself over.
I want God, through my relationship with Him through Christ and being guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, to change my life. Seriously. I love my life and am so filled with joy with the things and ways God has proven Himself over and over and over and over again in it. But I need change in my life to show Him the love I have for Him. I want God to change my life. Daily. Hourly, even. Change my life. This is and should be a common prayer and desire we Christ-followers should have. "God, change my life." Not a prayer of bail out, but one of dedication and desire for the perfection Christ lived. Sure, on a long enough timeline, I will fail. But that doesn't change my desire to want to stretch that timeline as thin as I've never stretched it before. God, change my life. And as I attempted to honestly pray this today, God showed me the error of my arrogance and dishonesty. How many times have I prayed, sought after, begged, pleaded, and so on for God to change my life, yet when presented with that opportunity to change, I quit. I backed down. I walked away from the proposal. What I meant when I "prayed" wasn't really for God to change my life, but rather to change my circumstances. Change the temporary. Change the little things I want different, regardless of why they exist in the first place. How pathetic...
We Christ-followers get caught up in the prayer implying "God, change my circumstances," when we say, "God, change my life." The 'change my life' prayer is very intimidating and can be scary...when we lack faith. But it's easy for us to see the little things (inconveniences that God probably placed there for His glory, by the way) that we want a specific desired outcome for, rather than live out a God engineered design that requires us to do what we don't want to do (shout, Paul).
Do you really want God to change your life to look more like Christ's? Or are you simply wussing out and implying for God to just change your circumstances? Do you have faith that God wants something BIGGER for your life than you do? Do you even have a clue what a changed LIFE looks like (i.e. - Have you ever let Him really do it?)???
What are you waiting for...
...chicken?
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