Recently (in the last five to ten years), there has been quite a buzz about "purpose." What is purpose and how do we know what it is? Am I fulfilling my purpose? I think there's a difference between purpose and calling. Everyone has the same purpose - whether or not they realize it and pursue it. We all exist to glorify God - that is our purpose. Seeing that truth come to fruition may appear differently (on a practical level) in different people's lives - but man's fundamental purpose is undeniably universal. Calling is that practical outworking of purpose - the HOW of purpose fulfillment.
Often I think we as Christians spend too much time trying to "figure out our calling" or following "ten easy steps to discovering our purpose" instead of doing the things we KNOW are the will of God for His followers. Would you rather "be called" to a life of comfort instead of a life of service? The heart of God is laid out for us in His Word. How amazing that we can know Him in this way.
So, what do we know we ought to do? Christ followers are called to many things...a few come to mind:
*love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind
*love your neighbor as yourself
*care for orphans and widows
*give with a cheerful heart
*submit to rulers and authorites
*draw near to the throne of grace
*exhort one another
*keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
*ask for wisdom
*count it all joy when you face trials
*show no partiality
*guard your heart
*draw near to God
*use gifts to edify the church
*do not be overcome by evil
*put on the full armor of God
*do not be anxious
*do not be afraid
*give thanks always
*submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
*honor your parents
*love your enemies
*forgive one another
*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus
The life Jesus calls us to is radical. It is HARD. Everything within us wants to serve ourselves. In the book, Intruments in the Redeemer's Hands, Paul David Tripp says that we really pray, "my will be done" instead of "thy will be done." I am guilty of this. I want to be king. This self-love is the most practical and prevelant form of idolatry in the 21st century.
These are a few verses that come to mind which specify what the "will of God" is.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your holiness: that you abstain from sexual imorality
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil
See Colossians 3:12-17 for a full picture of what a disciple of Christ looks like. The charge in this passage is insane! We have been called to such a high standard. We have been called out of darkness (Col. 1:13-14) and into a new way of living.
I am humbled knowing that the Creator of the universe desires the redemption of my heart - AND has made a way for this to happen. Wow.
Because our lives are not our own, may we be quick to love others this way:
"Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
-Proverbs 31:8-9
Let's PUT ON LOVE together
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sabbath
Spent much of the day today getting the apartment in order. It feels great to have things put away! I do have a bit of homework to do tomorrow - which is a bummer since I wanted to have a Sabbath. I suppose I need to figure out what that really looks like. I think it means resting in ways that bring life. It means reading my Bible, praying, walking, drawing, reading books that have nothing to do with school, writing notes of encouragement to friends and family, and talking with those I love. I want to be sure to find a balance between resting and doing. I am no good at it yet...but I'm going to attempt this new lifestyle and way of thinking.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Missing
I have missed. Most often I miss places I've been and people I've been with, smells and sights and moments I will never get back...but sometimes, I miss things that have never been - and may never be.
I miss running on a cool summer evening down by the ocean. I miss sailing the Mediterranean as the sun rises. I miss the smell of rice and curry filling my nostrils as I stroll the streets of India. I miss watching children dance and sing in Kiev. I miss my older brother. I miss a life before television. I miss 20 cent gasoline. I miss the old farm in Maine, and my horse, Lightning. I miss the top of a mountain peak in Peru. I miss the audible sound of HIS voice. I miss getting up with the sun. I miss stringing homemade necklaces in a hut in Kenya. I miss my breath being taken away as I gaze out over the cliffs of Ireland. I miss telling the man without a leg who sits on 33rd and Broadway about Jesus. I miss dancing the foxtrot at a dinner party. I miss baking a pie from scratch. I miss learning how to sing.
I miss running on a cool summer evening down by the ocean. I miss sailing the Mediterranean as the sun rises. I miss the smell of rice and curry filling my nostrils as I stroll the streets of India. I miss watching children dance and sing in Kiev. I miss my older brother. I miss a life before television. I miss 20 cent gasoline. I miss the old farm in Maine, and my horse, Lightning. I miss the top of a mountain peak in Peru. I miss the audible sound of HIS voice. I miss getting up with the sun. I miss stringing homemade necklaces in a hut in Kenya. I miss my breath being taken away as I gaze out over the cliffs of Ireland. I miss telling the man without a leg who sits on 33rd and Broadway about Jesus. I miss dancing the foxtrot at a dinner party. I miss baking a pie from scratch. I miss learning how to sing.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Home again
Back in NYC - already thinking about so many opportunities for service and ministry this coming year. Must sleep first. Hello, New York. I have missed you so!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Youth and Culture - A Call to Parents
I went to a radio taping the other day. Some pretty big names gathered around the table to discuss 'youth culture' today. Hank Hanegraaff (also known as the "Bible Answer Man"), Alex McFarland, Lee Strobel, Mark Middleburg, and Ryan Dobson sat down with John Fuller to explore the idea of 'helping parents and kids think biblically.'
This may be a bit muddled - just trying to compile from the notes I took.
They wondered aloud if being a teenager today is more difficult than in the past. With the access to the vast array of media today, kids are being bombarded by images that call them to a standard of living quite contrary to the standard God calls them to in His Word. Technology is a tool. All tools can be used for good or for evil - they are not good or evil in and of themselves. They addressed celebrity culture and our obsession with reality t.v., they talked about the classic "the magazines aren't real - everyone is airbrushed" case. Ryan Dobson said at one point, "The girl in the picture is always trying to be the girl in the picture." Interesting. At the end of the day, we are all very very human. We want acceptance, significance, and security.
Are parents providing a home enviornment where these things are fostered and encouraged? I wondered to myself, "are parents casting a biblical vision of life for their children?" What does this look like? Teens look to their parents. Parents, how are you spending your time? How are you spending your money? What do your kids think you value - not based on what you say you value, but on what your actions say you value?
At the end of the day, kids want accountability. They want role models. They want discipleship. They want to be pursued. They want to know someone cares. Parents, stop being your kids friend. Be their Mom. Be their Dad. Stop entertaining and start teaching the Truth. Don't know all the answers? That's okay - find a way for you and your teen to ask the important questions and seek the answers together. Find a way to make holiness a part of your lives. Ryan said it best, "Give (these kids) the things that the world canNOT give them." The things of the world do not satisfy. Give your kids the one thing that lasts - an understanding of who the God-man Jesus Christ is. Parents, treat raising your children up in the ways of the Lord as a full time job. You have the time. Hank Hanegraaff rightly commented, "It is not a matter of time, it is a matter of priority." So turn off the televison. Get off your iphone. Shut down the computer. Read a book together. Spend time outside. Cook a meal so Mom doesn't have to. Create a safe place for your kids to ask questions. If they aren't asking you, they are asking someone else. Lee Strobel rightly said, "If you abdicate your role as a parent, assume the worst." Parents, pray for your kids. They (we) need it. (Thank you, Alex for being the one to talk about the importance of being on your knees on behalf of your children).
Josh McDowell summed it up best when he said, "Rules without relationship breeds rebellion."
Relationships matter. We were made for community. We were made to love one another.
Thanks, guys for a great discussion!
This may be a bit muddled - just trying to compile from the notes I took.
They wondered aloud if being a teenager today is more difficult than in the past. With the access to the vast array of media today, kids are being bombarded by images that call them to a standard of living quite contrary to the standard God calls them to in His Word. Technology is a tool. All tools can be used for good or for evil - they are not good or evil in and of themselves. They addressed celebrity culture and our obsession with reality t.v., they talked about the classic "the magazines aren't real - everyone is airbrushed" case. Ryan Dobson said at one point, "The girl in the picture is always trying to be the girl in the picture." Interesting. At the end of the day, we are all very very human. We want acceptance, significance, and security.
Are parents providing a home enviornment where these things are fostered and encouraged? I wondered to myself, "are parents casting a biblical vision of life for their children?" What does this look like? Teens look to their parents. Parents, how are you spending your time? How are you spending your money? What do your kids think you value - not based on what you say you value, but on what your actions say you value?
At the end of the day, kids want accountability. They want role models. They want discipleship. They want to be pursued. They want to know someone cares. Parents, stop being your kids friend. Be their Mom. Be their Dad. Stop entertaining and start teaching the Truth. Don't know all the answers? That's okay - find a way for you and your teen to ask the important questions and seek the answers together. Find a way to make holiness a part of your lives. Ryan said it best, "Give (these kids) the things that the world canNOT give them." The things of the world do not satisfy. Give your kids the one thing that lasts - an understanding of who the God-man Jesus Christ is. Parents, treat raising your children up in the ways of the Lord as a full time job. You have the time. Hank Hanegraaff rightly commented, "It is not a matter of time, it is a matter of priority." So turn off the televison. Get off your iphone. Shut down the computer. Read a book together. Spend time outside. Cook a meal so Mom doesn't have to. Create a safe place for your kids to ask questions. If they aren't asking you, they are asking someone else. Lee Strobel rightly said, "If you abdicate your role as a parent, assume the worst." Parents, pray for your kids. They (we) need it. (Thank you, Alex for being the one to talk about the importance of being on your knees on behalf of your children).
Josh McDowell summed it up best when he said, "Rules without relationship breeds rebellion."
Relationships matter. We were made for community. We were made to love one another.
Thanks, guys for a great discussion!
Friday, August 14, 2009
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