After figuring out your identity, you must continue on a path to figure out your calling. By finding your identity, you will also find areas of your life which are not "clean", rather they are "dirty."
So where are you "dirty?" Where do you need to come clean?
I have written on this previously, but this was an issue that was tackled for me once again at Urbana (I suggest that you go).
For some of us it might be sexual immorality. We might not even realize when we are committing a sexual sin. I know that I myself am guilty of sexual immorality. For it is written, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mat 5:28).
For others it might be hatred, dislike. This is easy enough to recognize. Have you ever had that guy (or girl) pull out right in front of you? Think of your immediate reaction. If you are like me, it usually involves some yelling, maybe a quick punch to the steering wheel, and, if you are lucky, a toss of the cell phone (no wonder it doesn't work). Now, this sounds harmless enough. I just got upset with someone whom I don't even know. Oh well, I wasn't seriously mad at him, right? Well, as it is written, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Mat 5:22).
So whereever it is you need to repent and "DETOXIFY", do it. It is an awesome feeling to have that burden lifted off your shoulders. God will not use a "dirty" vessel, so become clean. Admit your sin, give it over to God.
Joshua 3:5
"Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.'"
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
SHAPE
We have all heard of the dreaded "MIDLIFE CRISIS" -- the feeling of change in our identity. The same is true of when we are twenty: college kids asking themselves, "Who am I? Where do I belong in the world? What should I do with my life?"
Do not get me wrong, these questions are important; however, the way that our society looks at the questions, as well as how they find answers, is a little "out of whack."
We look to our family for answers, thinking that they might know where it is best for us to go. One problem lies within this answer -- our family is just as fallible as we are. They know just as well as we do what will happen in the near future. They cannot tell us any better what to do or where to go than the answers that we ourselves can develop.
We look to security, whether it be financially or any other form, for answers. But can we be certain of what the future holds? We cannot know if the person we are dating now will be our wife or, if they are, the liklihood of divorce. We ourselves cannot predict security.
But finding your identity is crucial; in fact, it is the first step in finding where God is calling you. Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life, recently spoke about this topic at Urbana. He concluded that there is a simple mnemonic device to help us find our identity -- SHAPE.
Spiritual gifts: gifts given to you upon the Holy Spirit's entrance into your life.
Now, there have been tests to figure out spiritual gifts; however, one cannot truly identify their spiritual gifts without experimenting. For instance, someone may have never taught before, but that does not mean that they do not have that spiritual gift. They could have it, yet they have not tried it. Experiment. Find your spiritual gifts.
Heart. What are your interests? What do you enjoy doing? God has placed these passions in you. Recognize them; use them for His glory.
Abilities. Not to be confused with spiritual gifts, abilities are given at birth, not rebirth in the Spirit. There are numerous abilities, far too many to count -- athleticism, musical ability, etc. All can be used to glorify God, just the reason He placed them inside you.
Personality. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? God has uses for both. This is an important part of our identity. It determines how we react to certain situations.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly:
Experiences. We all have our different experiences. Just because we were somewhere together does not mean we have the same experiences. People take in situations differently; we have different reactions. Experiences shape each person differently.
Now, we have our fair share of "bad" experiences. What is the best thing about these experiences? God uses our worst experiences to help us the most. Think of one of your worst memories. God had a plan for it. I have been able to recognize this more over the last year than I have ever been able to before.
Look inside yourself -- who are you? Really, truly, and honestly? Do not try to see yourself as others do, but look at yourself as God made you -- the identity that He gave you in your SHAPE.
Do not get me wrong, these questions are important; however, the way that our society looks at the questions, as well as how they find answers, is a little "out of whack."
We look to our family for answers, thinking that they might know where it is best for us to go. One problem lies within this answer -- our family is just as fallible as we are. They know just as well as we do what will happen in the near future. They cannot tell us any better what to do or where to go than the answers that we ourselves can develop.
We look to security, whether it be financially or any other form, for answers. But can we be certain of what the future holds? We cannot know if the person we are dating now will be our wife or, if they are, the liklihood of divorce. We ourselves cannot predict security.
But finding your identity is crucial; in fact, it is the first step in finding where God is calling you. Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life, recently spoke about this topic at Urbana. He concluded that there is a simple mnemonic device to help us find our identity -- SHAPE.
Spiritual gifts: gifts given to you upon the Holy Spirit's entrance into your life.
Now, there have been tests to figure out spiritual gifts; however, one cannot truly identify their spiritual gifts without experimenting. For instance, someone may have never taught before, but that does not mean that they do not have that spiritual gift. They could have it, yet they have not tried it. Experiment. Find your spiritual gifts.
Heart. What are your interests? What do you enjoy doing? God has placed these passions in you. Recognize them; use them for His glory.
Abilities. Not to be confused with spiritual gifts, abilities are given at birth, not rebirth in the Spirit. There are numerous abilities, far too many to count -- athleticism, musical ability, etc. All can be used to glorify God, just the reason He placed them inside you.
Personality. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? God has uses for both. This is an important part of our identity. It determines how we react to certain situations.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly:
Experiences. We all have our different experiences. Just because we were somewhere together does not mean we have the same experiences. People take in situations differently; we have different reactions. Experiences shape each person differently.
Now, we have our fair share of "bad" experiences. What is the best thing about these experiences? God uses our worst experiences to help us the most. Think of one of your worst memories. God had a plan for it. I have been able to recognize this more over the last year than I have ever been able to before.
Look inside yourself -- who are you? Really, truly, and honestly? Do not try to see yourself as others do, but look at yourself as God made you -- the identity that He gave you in your SHAPE.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Ringtones
Did you ever notice how concerned some people (including myself) are about the ringtones on their cell phones? It is amazing how we look forward to the calling on our cell phones. We want them to ring; it makes us feel significant.
Think about how many ringtones you have on your phone.
Do you anxiously await a phone call? Do you long for the "significance" felt in a phone call? Are you so obsessed with those phone calls that you miss your true calling?
The most important person trying to reach us is our Creator, our King. He has given us all that we have; now, He is commanding you to give all you have -- for Him. But our giving is not seen as a duty or an act that we must do, but we willingly give our lives to him, just as Christ willingly went to the cross for us.
When He is trying to reach us, He is calling us. The apostle Paul wrote to the chuch in Ephesus, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Eph. 4:1).
This calling is significant. God has a significance for your life; He has a plan for your life. He wants to use you for His glorious plans. This calling will bring you significance.
There lies a problem with sometimes understanding this though:
To live a life worthy of the calling, you must be able to find what God's calling for your life is. He is trying to reach us; will you recognize His ringtone? Will you answer His call?
Over the next few days, I will go over what I have learned about finding your calling from God. Urbana served a great purpose in helping me to find this knowledge, and I long to learn more about finding my calling, then following it adamantly with all of my heart.
Think about how many ringtones you have on your phone.
Do you anxiously await a phone call? Do you long for the "significance" felt in a phone call? Are you so obsessed with those phone calls that you miss your true calling?
The most important person trying to reach us is our Creator, our King. He has given us all that we have; now, He is commanding you to give all you have -- for Him. But our giving is not seen as a duty or an act that we must do, but we willingly give our lives to him, just as Christ willingly went to the cross for us.
When He is trying to reach us, He is calling us. The apostle Paul wrote to the chuch in Ephesus, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Eph. 4:1).
This calling is significant. God has a significance for your life; He has a plan for your life. He wants to use you for His glorious plans. This calling will bring you significance.
There lies a problem with sometimes understanding this though:
To live a life worthy of the calling, you must be able to find what God's calling for your life is. He is trying to reach us; will you recognize His ringtone? Will you answer His call?
Over the next few days, I will go over what I have learned about finding your calling from God. Urbana served a great purpose in helping me to find this knowledge, and I long to learn more about finding my calling, then following it adamantly with all of my heart.
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