A brief follow-up to the last post...I had a great/timely/interesting conversation with one of our laypeople the other day in regards to what I was trying to articulate in the last post. There were a few things he said I identified with well.
First: "Everything is not good, but everything is good." He's speaking of a sense of discontent - what is not good. Everything else in life is fine, but he's discontent with his current role of ministry. He feels God's call to a certain ministry - to begin a certain ministry. He's not there yet. He's in a current role but his heart is calling him elsewhere. I identified with this in a great way. There are many things my current role fulfills in my sense of calling, but there is still much I want to do/experience for the Kingdom. On a greater level I wonder how many of us have a type of holy discontentment. There are things God is placing on our hearts (ways for us to serve...burdens for people, etc), but our ability to do these things is not yet here. Much like my desire for missions overseas.
Second: "There is so much to do it feels like you can never do enough." At first I was shocked because I thought only pastors felt this way. But here was a layperson completely vested in his role feeling the same way I did. It was relieving to hear this yet troubling at the same time. It emphasizes the fact that what we do for God and the church we must feel called to...not just putting a warm body in an open position. This is ineffectual for the body of Christ. We can do so much more when we serve where God puts a burden on our heart rather than where I feel I'm needed...BIG DIFFERENCE. Stewardship of time is critical and we must make sure we're investing our time where we are called.
I was very encouraged by our conversation. God's moving all over the place in our church. I'm privileged enough to have conversations with people I don't normally have a chance to talk with and I'm able to hear their heart. It's amazing what God is up to at New Hope. It's also relieving to hear others going through the same things you are.
