Do you believe you are a missionary? Chances are that you may not feel that you are because of a sensationalist view of what other Christians tell you about being a missionary. You know, we have all received the email from a friend that has given up everything and moved to a land that we most likely would not dream of moving. We think in our hearts, wow, they are doing so much more for Jesus than I am. You know you think that. Or, you may not think that, but they may make you think that in what they write to you! But, I write to tell you today that you do not have to change a single thing about your life to be a missionary. Now, maybe you have to change a few things in your heart.
God chooses to use us all in different ways. Some, he chooses to move and serve people in other countries working within the church. Others, he chooses to move, and continue to their work. Neither option is more righteous. Let's be clear on that. Paul is a great example of this in the Bible. There were times he worked as a tent maker while planting churches. Other times, he subsisted on the moneys of others to serve the church. He did both. And in doing both, he served God.
You may be a person of great success in your company. God may choose to move you around his world. It is your choice to use these opportunities to glory him or to glorify yourself. Do not feel as though you are not doing his work because you were not sent by your church or by a missionary organization. There is a purpose when God tells you to go. Every person you meet is an opportunity for Jesus to come through. No matter in business, in church, in recreation, God can be glorified in your ministry.
I encourage you to look at your life and see your ministry at work. What are you doing? Why? Examine your heart and make sure it is for God's glory and not your own. Do not be afraid to make moves when you can hear God shifting the pieces. This life belongs to him and why not see it for what it truly is... an adventure.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Stop Texting in Church
This weekend I enjoyed some really good conversations about church. We were discussing how relevant a Sunday service is to what the Bible talks about as church. Think about what you have encountered when you have walked into a service on Sunday mornings. If you grew up Catholic, like me, you would most likely have heard the Liturgy and progressed to sharing the Eucharist or communion with songs intermixed. If you grew up Protestant, well, you may have many different experiences because there are more denominations than I think I can reasonably count. Yet, it was either like my Catholic experience, or it is a barrage of people greeting you at the door, standing and listening to songs, maybe raise your hands, and then listen to about an hour long message from a preacher hopefully, pertaining to the Bible.
I have to ask you, do you really think this is what God intends for his church? Paul likens the church to a marriage relationship when he calls the church the "bride of Christ." If we explore what that means, we discover that there is this deep relationship that God has with his church. It is a relationship where questions can be raised and answered, ideas are brought forth, and love is bursting at the seams. When you walk into your church, do you experience this relationship? If you say no, I ask you to please change something.
In our church, we have community groups. These are smaller gatherings of the church on a weeknight. Food is often shared, prayers are offered, scripture is read. This is the time when the church of the bible appears very evident to me. We can stay for as little or as long as we would like. We can cry, laugh, be extremely irrational, and no one judges us. I love my community group! We dig deep into the parts of peoples' hearts we would much rather not go. Yet, it is a genuine place. A place where no one is trying to people please, or if they are it usually does not last long. It is a place where Jesus is worshipped above all else. Yet for some reason, we think of this as less church than Sunday.
Community groups are church. Being with a fellow believer in Starbucks and discussing life and the Bible is church. Praying for a friend when you know that they are tettering on the edge is church. Church is not passive behavior. Church is not waiting for something magical to happen. Church is in the nitty gritty relationship details of life.
I liken our current American church services to text messages. Although a good, quick way to communicate, they lack the personal expression of a phone call. Stop texting at Church! Pick up the phone and dial. Dial into your relationships. Explore the hurt, the joy, the peace, the suffering. Sunday services are not only about taking. They should be mostly about honoring God, honoring one another, and growing in relationship. Let's move from passive church to active and alive church. We can do it, only if we try.
I have to ask you, do you really think this is what God intends for his church? Paul likens the church to a marriage relationship when he calls the church the "bride of Christ." If we explore what that means, we discover that there is this deep relationship that God has with his church. It is a relationship where questions can be raised and answered, ideas are brought forth, and love is bursting at the seams. When you walk into your church, do you experience this relationship? If you say no, I ask you to please change something.
In our church, we have community groups. These are smaller gatherings of the church on a weeknight. Food is often shared, prayers are offered, scripture is read. This is the time when the church of the bible appears very evident to me. We can stay for as little or as long as we would like. We can cry, laugh, be extremely irrational, and no one judges us. I love my community group! We dig deep into the parts of peoples' hearts we would much rather not go. Yet, it is a genuine place. A place where no one is trying to people please, or if they are it usually does not last long. It is a place where Jesus is worshipped above all else. Yet for some reason, we think of this as less church than Sunday.
Community groups are church. Being with a fellow believer in Starbucks and discussing life and the Bible is church. Praying for a friend when you know that they are tettering on the edge is church. Church is not passive behavior. Church is not waiting for something magical to happen. Church is in the nitty gritty relationship details of life.
I liken our current American church services to text messages. Although a good, quick way to communicate, they lack the personal expression of a phone call. Stop texting at Church! Pick up the phone and dial. Dial into your relationships. Explore the hurt, the joy, the peace, the suffering. Sunday services are not only about taking. They should be mostly about honoring God, honoring one another, and growing in relationship. Let's move from passive church to active and alive church. We can do it, only if we try.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Doubting
Doubting. It's a natural human emotion when the radar goes off that something may be out of balance. We do so when we cannot visibly see the proof for the hypothesis in front of us. Unfortunately, we tend to look down on those that are in a state of doubt. We think, "why can't they just see that it will work out." Yet, we forget that maybe even just a few seconds ago, we were in a very similar state of doubt, possibly on a different subject.
We are encouraged in the bible to be people that are not tossed easily in the wind of change. However, I write today to remind you, that it also says, to have mercy on those that do doubt. We are to have grace and love when we find ourselves unsure of things and for those around us that are in the same predicament. We are not an epic failure when we find ourselves without enough faith for the day. It is this state that we can decide to either embrace and ask for help or we can just let our hearts get hardened.
So, I encourage you to really listen to the fears and doubts of those around you. It is a tangible state that really needs the help and prayer of others. We all doubt. It is only by embracing our own human condition and recognizing it in others that we can move past it.
Love takes many forms. One of the best ways we can show love for each other and for ourselves is by accepting that we will have moments of doubt and fear. When we recognize that the emotion is there, we can then see what is causing it and bring it to God in prayer. Even the most faithful, have moments of doubt.
We are encouraged in the bible to be people that are not tossed easily in the wind of change. However, I write today to remind you, that it also says, to have mercy on those that do doubt. We are to have grace and love when we find ourselves unsure of things and for those around us that are in the same predicament. We are not an epic failure when we find ourselves without enough faith for the day. It is this state that we can decide to either embrace and ask for help or we can just let our hearts get hardened.
So, I encourage you to really listen to the fears and doubts of those around you. It is a tangible state that really needs the help and prayer of others. We all doubt. It is only by embracing our own human condition and recognizing it in others that we can move past it.
Love takes many forms. One of the best ways we can show love for each other and for ourselves is by accepting that we will have moments of doubt and fear. When we recognize that the emotion is there, we can then see what is causing it and bring it to God in prayer. Even the most faithful, have moments of doubt.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Reader Beware: Emotional
Today, I was thinking about my mom. I was thinking about her smile, her laugh, the way she would hug me when I was upset. Thinking about her, can often make me feel sad. However, recently, when I think of her, I will start to cry and I can feel her hugging me. I can hear her voice speaking with me when I am questioning something in my life. I have no idea how this really is possible. But, I know she is still with me and I am thankful.
I have learned so much from her passing away. I have learned that every day is one worth living. I have learned that every person I see deserves my full attention. No matter the circumstances of what is happening around me, this moment is it. You see, most people would not write this for everyone to see. Rather, they would keep it hidden in their heart. But, I truly want the memory of my mom to live on forever. And, because God made her a part of me, I know that I cannot be silent.
There is pain and there is suffering in this life. But, there is a greater good in its purpose. I used to be a young girl with so many concerns and anxiety over insignificant details. Yet, because of my mom living and passing away so quickly, I have learned that those concerns can wait. What really matters is the way light flashes in Chris's eye when he sees me, or the moments I spend with Chris's family so grateful for their love in my life, or spending time with my brother and his wife, or just the fact that I can live and breath with such ease and health. You may say that those things are trivial but, I say that they are what life is all about.
I know my mom still lives, I am sure of it. And, I know that God cares that I miss her. But, the deeper part of this whole experience is that I know in my pain and loss, I have learned of such joy in this life. My children will know her laugh and spirit because thankfully they are alive inside of me. They will know her passion and drive for bringing family together because they are inside of me. But, most of all, my children will know that no matter the pain in life, there is a greater God that uses it for his glory.
I have learned so much from her passing away. I have learned that every day is one worth living. I have learned that every person I see deserves my full attention. No matter the circumstances of what is happening around me, this moment is it. You see, most people would not write this for everyone to see. Rather, they would keep it hidden in their heart. But, I truly want the memory of my mom to live on forever. And, because God made her a part of me, I know that I cannot be silent.
There is pain and there is suffering in this life. But, there is a greater good in its purpose. I used to be a young girl with so many concerns and anxiety over insignificant details. Yet, because of my mom living and passing away so quickly, I have learned that those concerns can wait. What really matters is the way light flashes in Chris's eye when he sees me, or the moments I spend with Chris's family so grateful for their love in my life, or spending time with my brother and his wife, or just the fact that I can live and breath with such ease and health. You may say that those things are trivial but, I say that they are what life is all about.
I know my mom still lives, I am sure of it. And, I know that God cares that I miss her. But, the deeper part of this whole experience is that I know in my pain and loss, I have learned of such joy in this life. My children will know her laugh and spirit because thankfully they are alive inside of me. They will know her passion and drive for bringing family together because they are inside of me. But, most of all, my children will know that no matter the pain in life, there is a greater God that uses it for his glory.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I used to throw TVs
Today, thanks to Paul's letter to Titus, I really think I am going to name my first son, Titus, I learned a lot. I learned that people in this world are crazy! And, before I believed in Jesus, I was just as crazy. You see, when you become a Christian sometimes you forget that you used to be crazy. You used to sit around thinking about how awful life is and that it will never get better. You used to feel like everyone hated you and you hated them. Your words were sharp, hard, condeming. That is how life is or would be if you didn't know Jesus.
Today, I realized that Jesus has changed a lot of things about me. You can ask my brother. When we used to live together, we did not get along. We really argued and I think I even threw a TV at him, or at my parents, I can't remember. But, there you see, because of Jesus I no longer throw TVs. Thank goodness! I love my brother and I really can not imagine that I used to treat him like that. But, because of Jesus' work in my heart, things are different.
Things can be different for you too. You don't have to sit at work looking at the clock every five minutes waiting to get out because your boss is a terrible creature. No, you can really love him. Even though his behavior may stink, there is still something to love about him. And, Jesus can show you how.
Please don't think I am talking about a smiling buddy Jesus. No, I know that life really stinks sometimes. I know that stuff piles up and you want to pull your hair out. But, Jesus knows about that. Really, I mean, he died on a cross. I think we can suck up a little trauma.
My life without Jesus is full of anger and bitterness and really, I don't care because my life with Jesus is far better. He is not a bandaid. He is a solution. The only solution to our trials, tribulations and the greatest source of hope ever known. So, please figure out if your life is so great without him and if it is, go about your business but, if it stinks and you want it to change...ask him.
Today, I realized that Jesus has changed a lot of things about me. You can ask my brother. When we used to live together, we did not get along. We really argued and I think I even threw a TV at him, or at my parents, I can't remember. But, there you see, because of Jesus I no longer throw TVs. Thank goodness! I love my brother and I really can not imagine that I used to treat him like that. But, because of Jesus' work in my heart, things are different.
Things can be different for you too. You don't have to sit at work looking at the clock every five minutes waiting to get out because your boss is a terrible creature. No, you can really love him. Even though his behavior may stink, there is still something to love about him. And, Jesus can show you how.
Please don't think I am talking about a smiling buddy Jesus. No, I know that life really stinks sometimes. I know that stuff piles up and you want to pull your hair out. But, Jesus knows about that. Really, I mean, he died on a cross. I think we can suck up a little trauma.
My life without Jesus is full of anger and bitterness and really, I don't care because my life with Jesus is far better. He is not a bandaid. He is a solution. The only solution to our trials, tribulations and the greatest source of hope ever known. So, please figure out if your life is so great without him and if it is, go about your business but, if it stinks and you want it to change...ask him.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
You can wear sweatpants to Church!
Today, after I went to church, I changed into my sweatpants to get comfy. When I went to church, I wore jeans. They are comfortable for the most part but, definitely not as comfortable as my sweatpants. The same can be true of my personality when I enter church and when I leave. I write today to challenge us to think about the person we are in church verses the person we are in our homes.
Sometimes, the person we show in church is very different from the person we are at home. It is almost like we are ashamed to show our true selves. We wouldn't show up to church in a sweatpants, we think. But, the reality is that church is the perfect place to show up in your most comfortable clothes. You see, Jesus, and our family of other Jesus believers deserves to see all of us, not just the put together piece of ourselves. We need to be at our most comfortable state in order to be most vulnerable and when we are most vulnerable then Jesus can do his work in us.
I encourage you to be yourself at church. Let it all hang out. You may disagree with me if you come from a stuffy, conservative church. You may disagree if you think there is some order to how church needs to be run. But, I tell you, Jesus hitched a ride with a tax collector, had a party with sinners, and debated this with Pharisees. Please don't be a Pharisee. If you see someone showing up in metaphorical sweatpants, don't put them down. Come along side them and embrace that they are letting loose in God's house. And, it is God's house, where anything can happen.
Sometimes, the person we show in church is very different from the person we are at home. It is almost like we are ashamed to show our true selves. We wouldn't show up to church in a sweatpants, we think. But, the reality is that church is the perfect place to show up in your most comfortable clothes. You see, Jesus, and our family of other Jesus believers deserves to see all of us, not just the put together piece of ourselves. We need to be at our most comfortable state in order to be most vulnerable and when we are most vulnerable then Jesus can do his work in us.
I encourage you to be yourself at church. Let it all hang out. You may disagree with me if you come from a stuffy, conservative church. You may disagree if you think there is some order to how church needs to be run. But, I tell you, Jesus hitched a ride with a tax collector, had a party with sinners, and debated this with Pharisees. Please don't be a Pharisee. If you see someone showing up in metaphorical sweatpants, don't put them down. Come along side them and embrace that they are letting loose in God's house. And, it is God's house, where anything can happen.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Racing Together
I have been so happy all week for my plans this weekend. One being that I have the day off today. That is amazing. But, the second more exciting thing is that I get to run in a half marathon with my sister, Sarah. I ran this half marathon for the first time in 2008. It isn't really an easy one. But, there I go sounding like a running snob, what half marathon is easy?!
I am really looking forward to the experience because I enjoy running with someone else. I used to laugh at all these women I would see at races that ran in groups. I scoffed at their enjoyment of talking instead of racing. However, as I have learned over the past year, God can really surprise me. He loves to transform us from mockers to full fledged followers. Running with Sarah represents a lot of things in my life. It represents that God has changed me from competitive to compassionate, from individualistic to inclusive. The joy that I get in my heart from running now is not over putting up a PR but from what an experience the race will be. We will be able to push each other, encourage one another, discuss what matters most to us, and enjoy the scenery.
Too often we go through life thinking about our plans, our tasks, our agendas. We forget that there are other people around us that when we share life with we find out what it is really about. Running with Sarah has turned into something that I could not imagine life without. It is a connection with someone that means more that the things I have to accomplish at work, or the miles I have to put in for a marathon. I learn more from our time together than I could ever on a solitary run by myself.
The joy I have for this weekend comes from a contentment with what God intended for us. He wants us to be in relationship with one another. When we share life with people, his purpose is solidified. Too often books are written about the purpose of our lives and how to get the best life now. But, the reality is that life is about forming relationships with others. When we do this, our lives our complete. Truly being open and honest with another person, enables us to find joy and peace. Now, these relationships do not always work out perfectly because the only perfect relationship we can have is with Jesus. However, when we have that connection right and the connection with others, our true purpose is identified.
So, I encourage you, look around at people. Find joy in getting to know them. Be excited for experiences that will bring you closer together. There is nothing like it. I know that Sarah and I will have a great race because we are in it together and what is sweeter than that!
I am really looking forward to the experience because I enjoy running with someone else. I used to laugh at all these women I would see at races that ran in groups. I scoffed at their enjoyment of talking instead of racing. However, as I have learned over the past year, God can really surprise me. He loves to transform us from mockers to full fledged followers. Running with Sarah represents a lot of things in my life. It represents that God has changed me from competitive to compassionate, from individualistic to inclusive. The joy that I get in my heart from running now is not over putting up a PR but from what an experience the race will be. We will be able to push each other, encourage one another, discuss what matters most to us, and enjoy the scenery.
Too often we go through life thinking about our plans, our tasks, our agendas. We forget that there are other people around us that when we share life with we find out what it is really about. Running with Sarah has turned into something that I could not imagine life without. It is a connection with someone that means more that the things I have to accomplish at work, or the miles I have to put in for a marathon. I learn more from our time together than I could ever on a solitary run by myself.
The joy I have for this weekend comes from a contentment with what God intended for us. He wants us to be in relationship with one another. When we share life with people, his purpose is solidified. Too often books are written about the purpose of our lives and how to get the best life now. But, the reality is that life is about forming relationships with others. When we do this, our lives our complete. Truly being open and honest with another person, enables us to find joy and peace. Now, these relationships do not always work out perfectly because the only perfect relationship we can have is with Jesus. However, when we have that connection right and the connection with others, our true purpose is identified.
So, I encourage you, look around at people. Find joy in getting to know them. Be excited for experiences that will bring you closer together. There is nothing like it. I know that Sarah and I will have a great race because we are in it together and what is sweeter than that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)