Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Beauty of Ministry
There are a million things I love about ministry. But the one I'm acutely aware of today is the bizarre variety of things that happen. Last week I looked at my calendar and this week was pretty empty, but it's only Wednesday and I've already visited a new baby that was born, run down to the thrift store to by a crazy santa sweater for an event, visited with a woman considering kidney donation, planned youth group for Sunday, attended Monday night football with everyone, sent our reminders, invitations, and announcements about a variety of things, and a few minutes ago I got to ring the children's bell choir bells so our children's pastor could get things in order for the Christmas program! Life is just funny!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Don't Dock Your Boat
One of my favorite new (or new-ish) songs is "God of this City." Sure, it's a bit repetitive, but I still love the message of it..."Greater things are yet to come....greater things are still to be done." My husband and I actually had it as one of the songs in our wedding because we wanted that day to be one where God got the credit for what He had done in our lives and because we never wanted to forget that our wedding day was a launch pad rather than a destination. Even though God had done amazing things in our lives up to that point, even though our wedding was very special, and even though we were exceedingly thankful for what God had done, we never wanted to lose sight of the fact that God has called us to even greater things than where we are right now.
I think a lot of time people give up somewhere along the way. People travel down the river of life and decide it's time to dock the boat and give up the journey...either because they have a lack of character or life just got too tough. Some appear to have gotten stuck on a sand bar and never bother to put any effort into getting un-stuck...they seem content to just sit there.
Now some of these boat dockers are people I have an immense compassion for. They have experienced extremely difficult waters and the terrifying possibility of going through something that difficult again is paralyzing. And I believe there is a time and a place for temporarily anchoring your vessel, taking some time to catch your breath and regroup, make sure the boat is still in one piece, and potentially to chart a new course. There is no shame in that...in fact, I'd say it's often the most important part of the journey. Healing, rest, Sabbath, and reprieve are essential and should never be taken lightly. Far too many people plough ahead down the river with no idea where they are going, how they are getting there, and they miss all the good things along the way that are meant to be taken in, savored, and enjoyed. No wonder they burn out and dock their boats!!! Take time to rest. When you need healing, give yourself time to heal and ask God to repair the broken pieces. Take time to figure out where you want to go and plot a course to get there. And don't forget to enjoy the scenery around you....God's creation is magnificent!
But there is danger in lingering too long. We can get too comfortable on the shore line sometimes. Sometimes we are stuck there out of fear of getting hurt....again. Sometimes we are scared of what would happen if we really did succeed. Sometimes we are trapped by all those voices that have told us we will never make it. Sometimes it is plain old fashioned laziness. Whatever the reason...life on the shore line is not what you were created for. God has called and created each one of us to be partners with Him in His amazing redemption mission to bring the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. We are involved....we are active...and we have a mighty purpose! This is not shoreline living!!! This is boat living...white water rafting....kayaking....canoeing....ACTIVE!!!
Sometimes I find myself calling out to people along the shores as the river's current takes me farther down the river, "Cast off!!" "You should see what is just around the bend!" "There's more left to see!" "God is not done with you yet!!!!!!!!" It isn't my job to dock my own boat, pick them up, throw them in their boat, and force them back on the journey. All that effort would just leave me off course, exhausted, and they would just park their boat again as soon as there was another opportunity. No, each of us has the free will to be a part of God's great adventure or not...the journey cannot be forced.
Sometimes I find myself calling out to people who are just getting ready to dock and my heart breaks for them. I can see the battered boat, the exhaustion, the fear, and the battle wounds. In some cases, we have endured the same rapids....in other situations, I know nothing of their suffering. So I slow my boat momentarily and call out, "Rest here for a while!" "Drop anchor for a bit and mend your boat." "Collect your self again and let God remind you of why you are here!" "But PLEASE! PLEASE do not dock your boat for long!" The reality is, somewhere down this journey, I might find some more rough rapids myself. I may be tempted to dock as well. And if they stay put....if they dock permanently....or if they just stay stuck, who will be there to call out to me when I am tempted?
Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done. I choose to live in the reality that I am called to be part of a great and holy adventure. I choose to continue the journey. And in the process, I believe God journeys with us....guiding and navigating us into a relationship with Him that is unparalleled. I choose not to dock my boat.
I think a lot of time people give up somewhere along the way. People travel down the river of life and decide it's time to dock the boat and give up the journey...either because they have a lack of character or life just got too tough. Some appear to have gotten stuck on a sand bar and never bother to put any effort into getting un-stuck...they seem content to just sit there.
Now some of these boat dockers are people I have an immense compassion for. They have experienced extremely difficult waters and the terrifying possibility of going through something that difficult again is paralyzing. And I believe there is a time and a place for temporarily anchoring your vessel, taking some time to catch your breath and regroup, make sure the boat is still in one piece, and potentially to chart a new course. There is no shame in that...in fact, I'd say it's often the most important part of the journey. Healing, rest, Sabbath, and reprieve are essential and should never be taken lightly. Far too many people plough ahead down the river with no idea where they are going, how they are getting there, and they miss all the good things along the way that are meant to be taken in, savored, and enjoyed. No wonder they burn out and dock their boats!!! Take time to rest. When you need healing, give yourself time to heal and ask God to repair the broken pieces. Take time to figure out where you want to go and plot a course to get there. And don't forget to enjoy the scenery around you....God's creation is magnificent!
But there is danger in lingering too long. We can get too comfortable on the shore line sometimes. Sometimes we are stuck there out of fear of getting hurt....again. Sometimes we are scared of what would happen if we really did succeed. Sometimes we are trapped by all those voices that have told us we will never make it. Sometimes it is plain old fashioned laziness. Whatever the reason...life on the shore line is not what you were created for. God has called and created each one of us to be partners with Him in His amazing redemption mission to bring the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. We are involved....we are active...and we have a mighty purpose! This is not shoreline living!!! This is boat living...white water rafting....kayaking....canoeing....ACTIVE!!!
Sometimes I find myself calling out to people along the shores as the river's current takes me farther down the river, "Cast off!!" "You should see what is just around the bend!" "There's more left to see!" "God is not done with you yet!!!!!!!!" It isn't my job to dock my own boat, pick them up, throw them in their boat, and force them back on the journey. All that effort would just leave me off course, exhausted, and they would just park their boat again as soon as there was another opportunity. No, each of us has the free will to be a part of God's great adventure or not...the journey cannot be forced.
Sometimes I find myself calling out to people who are just getting ready to dock and my heart breaks for them. I can see the battered boat, the exhaustion, the fear, and the battle wounds. In some cases, we have endured the same rapids....in other situations, I know nothing of their suffering. So I slow my boat momentarily and call out, "Rest here for a while!" "Drop anchor for a bit and mend your boat." "Collect your self again and let God remind you of why you are here!" "But PLEASE! PLEASE do not dock your boat for long!" The reality is, somewhere down this journey, I might find some more rough rapids myself. I may be tempted to dock as well. And if they stay put....if they dock permanently....or if they just stay stuck, who will be there to call out to me when I am tempted?
Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done. I choose to live in the reality that I am called to be part of a great and holy adventure. I choose to continue the journey. And in the process, I believe God journeys with us....guiding and navigating us into a relationship with Him that is unparalleled. I choose not to dock my boat.
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