I was talking with a good friend recently, and we were sharing with each other the calling we feel God placing on our lives, and the pressure that results from contemplating the pending change.
I was reminded of the verse in Romans (12:1) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. "
I shared a personal story with Joe (my friend's name was Joe also - so you know he's a good guy with a name like that) about a time when I was asked what I was planning to do with a particular item I was hoping to acquire. Was I going to use it to relax & have fun? Was I going to use it to get away from the everyday? Was I gonna use it for ministry? Just what was I going to do? I reflected for a moment before answering, and responded that my desire, my goal, is to breathe out every breath God gives me in an act of ministry.
I fall far short of this, obviously, but it remains my goal. God has done so much for me, and I've seen Him do so much for so many, starting with giving His son's life to pay my sin-debt to cover the cost of the gift of eternal life in paradise! How could I possibly offer Him any less than everything I am, since everything good about me has been a gift of God.
I also had a song lyric pop into my head, and it's been there since "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe..."
Back to Paul, who in his letter to the Romans ponders Job in asking "who has ever given to God, that he should repay Him", and Isaiah in asking "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" this is what comes just before the "Therefore" in the above verse.
I realize that Jesus paid my debt, and yours too, not as an investment, but rather as a gift. He doesn't need repayment, it's not possible for me to repay that debt. What God has given me holds too great a value for me to think I can effectively repay.
It's out of thanks, gratitude, and desire to share the awesomeness of God that I seek to give what I can to sharing His love, His word, His glory with the world to the best of my (God given) ability. It's not an attempt to repay, it's a desire to sing His praise!
A few days later, I got a phone call from a friend whose car had left him stranded, so I stopped what I was doing & went to see if I could get his car going and get him back home. He told me that he "was at the coffee shop." I made my way to the coffee shop where he volunteers and spends much of his time - but he wasn't there (he was actually at a different coffee shop, but that's another story.) I went in and talked to the shop owner, another good friend and follower of Christ, and while we were figuring out where my buddy was, we spent a few minutes catching up. My shop owner friend, was telling me about how he has managed through the pandemic, and shared just a few of the many ways God has provided for him and the shop during the past few months. He made the statement "You can't out-give God." His words resonated with what had been rattling around in my head since talking with Joe over the previous weekend.
I feel a strong call on my heart. I believe God has called me to know Him better so I can teach others about Him. I intend to answer that call, and honestly it's a little scary because I'm not sure where that's going to lead but I'm pretty sure it's going to bring change. Change is usually uncomfortable. But that's okay. God has equipped me, and is continuing to equip me. God has blessed me with a good wife and a loving family who support me. God has put me in relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ who show me the way, and given me insight into the lives of many others who give good example of ways to avoid going. It will be okay, no matter how great the change that is coming.
Father, Daddy, thank You for all that you have given me - and continue to give even with each breath You put in my lungs. Help me answer Your call, help me remember the price You paid on my behalf, and strengthen me as I seek to share that wonderful truth with others - by whatever means necessary. You are worth more to me than I can ever repay, Lord. Accept all that I am as an offering, use that offering to grow Your kingdom.
I was reminded of the verse in Romans (12:1) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. "
I shared a personal story with Joe (my friend's name was Joe also - so you know he's a good guy with a name like that) about a time when I was asked what I was planning to do with a particular item I was hoping to acquire. Was I going to use it to relax & have fun? Was I going to use it to get away from the everyday? Was I gonna use it for ministry? Just what was I going to do? I reflected for a moment before answering, and responded that my desire, my goal, is to breathe out every breath God gives me in an act of ministry.
I fall far short of this, obviously, but it remains my goal. God has done so much for me, and I've seen Him do so much for so many, starting with giving His son's life to pay my sin-debt to cover the cost of the gift of eternal life in paradise! How could I possibly offer Him any less than everything I am, since everything good about me has been a gift of God.
I also had a song lyric pop into my head, and it's been there since "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe..."
Back to Paul, who in his letter to the Romans ponders Job in asking "who has ever given to God, that he should repay Him", and Isaiah in asking "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" this is what comes just before the "Therefore" in the above verse.
I realize that Jesus paid my debt, and yours too, not as an investment, but rather as a gift. He doesn't need repayment, it's not possible for me to repay that debt. What God has given me holds too great a value for me to think I can effectively repay.
It's out of thanks, gratitude, and desire to share the awesomeness of God that I seek to give what I can to sharing His love, His word, His glory with the world to the best of my (God given) ability. It's not an attempt to repay, it's a desire to sing His praise!
A few days later, I got a phone call from a friend whose car had left him stranded, so I stopped what I was doing & went to see if I could get his car going and get him back home. He told me that he "was at the coffee shop." I made my way to the coffee shop where he volunteers and spends much of his time - but he wasn't there (he was actually at a different coffee shop, but that's another story.) I went in and talked to the shop owner, another good friend and follower of Christ, and while we were figuring out where my buddy was, we spent a few minutes catching up. My shop owner friend, was telling me about how he has managed through the pandemic, and shared just a few of the many ways God has provided for him and the shop during the past few months. He made the statement "You can't out-give God." His words resonated with what had been rattling around in my head since talking with Joe over the previous weekend.
I feel a strong call on my heart. I believe God has called me to know Him better so I can teach others about Him. I intend to answer that call, and honestly it's a little scary because I'm not sure where that's going to lead but I'm pretty sure it's going to bring change. Change is usually uncomfortable. But that's okay. God has equipped me, and is continuing to equip me. God has blessed me with a good wife and a loving family who support me. God has put me in relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ who show me the way, and given me insight into the lives of many others who give good example of ways to avoid going. It will be okay, no matter how great the change that is coming.
Father, Daddy, thank You for all that you have given me - and continue to give even with each breath You put in my lungs. Help me answer Your call, help me remember the price You paid on my behalf, and strengthen me as I seek to share that wonderful truth with others - by whatever means necessary. You are worth more to me than I can ever repay, Lord. Accept all that I am as an offering, use that offering to grow Your kingdom.
