I think a major reason of why I need to accept the call is because as James 1 says, I need to prove myself as a doer of the Word, and not merely a hearer who misleads myself. I need to actually do what the Bible says instead of just reading it! The Bible says that we were blessed so that we could be a light unto other nations!! If a weather man came on your TV and told you a hurricane was coming and to take cover... would you? Of course. If your teacher said to study chapter 5 of your Algebra book for a quiz the next day... would you? Yes. If the doctor tells you to take the medicine for your allergies...would you? Totally. To all the experts in our lives, we listen to well. Our teacher knows what she is going to quiz us on, the weather man has a radar to tell us what's happening, and the doctor went to school for like eight years to help you feel better. We listen to these people. We don't just listen, but we act upon what they say. SO why is that with God it gets a little harder? Why can't we just listen and act upon what He says. Just like your teacher, weather man, and doctor are experts in certain fields. He is the final say, the absolute last word, or anything concerning YOU.
I heard a story once of a couple who was doing their grocery shopping. Both husband and wife worked in ministry and so they had a tight budget to get through the month. As the wife passed a lady down the pasta aisle, she overheard this woman's conversation on her phone. The lady was saying how she had been fired and that she had no money to get any groceries. At once, the wife's face dropped and her husband comforted her. A couple of aisles later the husband said to his wife, "What do you think of giving some of our money?" Well the wife quickly smiled and the husband took off to find her. The lady was just leaving with a small grocery bag of necessities. The husband explained that he and his wife had overheard her conversation and simply wanted to help. The lady was shocked and simply waked out the door shaking her head. She turned around as she went outside and simply said, "Thank You." For the rest of the night this couple was so thankful God had blessed them with being able to give. That is God's Word in action. You see James said, "Don't just read about giving: put some money in a container for the less fortunate. Don't just talk about wanting a better prayer life; start praying more consistently. Don't just talk about that overstuffed closet; give some clothes away." We as Christ followers have to take action for Christ.
The other major reason that makes me feel like I need to accept this challenge, I get from 1 Corinthians 12:12. So I'm going to get a bit vulnerable for a moment with you. This point talks about all of us, no matter what your personality or gifting, being a part of the body of Christ. A year or two ago (and it is still a daily battle!) I really wrestled through this verse. I allowed my head to become a "bobble head." You know, those bobble head dolls with the heads that shake all around. My head was swinging from left to right as I sized up my life, my personality, my gifting, everything with girls in my life. I looked at my friend Lauren and she is this beautiful, loving, smart, amazing and fun to be around friend. I would bobble over to my friend Rachel who is strong, oh-so-wise, and so knowledgeable of God's Word. Then it would bobble to Kristy who is the sweetest girl you will ever meet, always has seasoned words of more sugary sweetness and encouragement, and is always there for you. My heart just took a beating, granted it was my own fists and thoughts that were giving the beating, but still my heart was left questioning my personality, my gifting, and my role in this whole Jesus' body thing. I wonder if you can relate. I finally hit this point about 8 months ago (yes, it took me 2 years to process this with the Lord, I am somewhat stubborn) where I simply rested in the Lord and who HE has created me to be. If I don't do my role in the body, be it that my role might be being a complete goober in front of my friends or loving the people around me, then I am telling the Lord that he messed up. What if I pinky toe of Christ's body of believers... chellooo, I gotta do the job of the pinky toe! And I want to be the best pinky toe ever so that the body works perfectly throughout! I think that some of the gifts God gave me are discipleship, leadership, and compassion. I want to do my part of the body of Christ and spread my compassion and love. Be a leader by showing people how to love others and be a Godly example to others. I want to spread the good news EVERYWHERE I go!! I want to 110%, with a whole heart accept the missionary call and show people the grace and love of Christ! I get so excited blogging about all of this! I just LOVE God and want others to have the opportunity to see His amazing LOVE.
No comments:
Post a Comment