Thoughts on Ministry

Something that struck me the other day is how many of us don't feel specifically called to any particular kind of ministry. I'm sure there are others like me who've wrestled with undue guilt over this...it's not like we don't want to reach the world for Christ; it's just that other countries and very blatantly-Christian outreach organizations don't weigh heavily on our minds. I'm not saying we shouldn't explore these options just because we don't think much about them...a lot of the time we need to actually find our purpose and not just wait for it to be handed to us...but I think we should remember the simple truth that God can use us anywhere at any time. Where you are right now--where you're comfortable, in your niche--it's like when missionaries go to other cultures. Before they can begin to effectively reach them with the truth they have to become at least somewhat familiar with the way things are run in this new environment. They have to understand the general and individual mindsets so they can see what practices and beliefs will be helpful or deterrent to the message. They have to know the language, the history, the way they relate to others...they have to know a lot. Here, in your niche, you already know all that stuff. Us North American Christians often forget the mission field in our own backyard. But instead of letting that cliche assuage my false guilt over not feeling called to overseas missions, thereby allowing me to be comfortable in Canada, I'm challenging myself to realize that those within my comfort zone need Jesus as much as any other zone in the world. Every day, everywhere I look, there are people searching. Am I being mindful of how my words and actions present the fact that I know the Way to the Answer?

Your True Love's Name Is

Brian Y.

What's Your True Love's Name?

Now this is no reflection on how I feel about piano music...I love listening to it. But every time I see the words "piano recital" I want to say "piano rectal".

Sensing Him

Just when I start to think that I'm a fairly mature Christian, I'm hit with a revelation that humbles me and reminds me that the beginning isn't too far back. (I kind of hate being humbled, but I love how it shows that God is so intimately involved in my life and growth.) Anyway, what brought this on was a regular evening not too long ago. I was getting ready for bed, stressed out about a bunch of minor life details that had all piled up within a short space of time, which stressed me out that I wouldn't be able to turn off my brain and get a desperately-needed good night's sleep. In the midst of my chaotic thoughts and high blood pressure, a sense of peace suddenly flooded me and blanketed all my worries under a thick, warm knowledge that everything was going to be alright. My worries tried to kick it away, but it was too strong, and I gratefully succumbed to the reminder that God loves me and will take care of me. It was the strongest I'd felt God's presence in a long time, and I'd wanted to feel Him for so long, and even though I was as content as could be, I couldn't help but ask why He hadn't come for me sooner. I'd been crying out to Him for awhile.
Right away I remembered a Christmas several years back when my cousin Jazlyn was just a baby. As is true for all infants, she was getting past the stage where every cry is a physical need being expressed, so when she would wake up from a nap in her crib and start wailing, her parents (knowing she'd recently eaten and been changed) wouldn't come for her. At least, not right away. Her cries were for attention, for a reassurance that Mom and Dad were still there for her and taking care of her. She needed to learn that, just because she couldn't see, feel, or hear them, that didn't mean they weren't there anymore. Their love for her was strong enough to not spoil her by keeping her dependent on a physical sense of their presence.
Unlike earthly parents, God could let us sense Him all the time if He so chose. He will never live far away or pass away or have personal problems that strain His relationship with us...but if we could always sense Him close by, how would we learn to be strong in our minds? We need to be forced to exercise our knowledge of the truth, cause if we always felt the truth in our hearts, our minds would be weak spiritually. There would be no need to resist the lies of the evil one, cause we'd never feel exposed. How then would be learn to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? His Word and His people are there to remind us of His love when we can't feel it...then when we do feel it, it's that much more beautiful because it has a solid root in every aspect of our awareness.