Comments on: call waiting

By: new to you friday–call waiting « Write About Now

new to you friday–call waiting « Write About Now — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:33:37 +0000

[...] your life” and I continue to question the theology, but mostly because the comments on the original post were so great. What do you [...]

By: Lori Hilber

Lori Hilber — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:23:19 +0000

I love what Henry Blackaby has to say about this subject in Experiencing God:

“When you come to the Lord Jesus to seek His will for your life, which of the following requests more closely resembles the way you generally ask?

1)Lord, what do You want me to do? When do You want me to do it? How shall I do it? Where shall I do it? Whom do You want me to involve along the way? And please tell me what the outcome will be.
2)Lord, as You go with me, tell me what to do one step at a time. I will do it.

Isn’t the first response typical? We always ask God for a detailed road map. We say, “Lord, if You would just tell me where I am heading, then I will be able to set my course and go.”"

He also says, “What is God’s will for my life is not the right question. I think the proper question is, What is God’s will? Once I know God’s will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do.”

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:44:12 +0000

Our generation has swapped sarcasm for wisdom and called it an even trade. So we watch John Stewart instead of CNN and we feel wise. Is that a sarcastic reply?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:16:51 +0000

Dan, so great to re-connect! Thanks for reading and for your nice words. I agree, I don’t think there’s always a Reason for everything; as Terry Wuske says, “sometimes a flat tire is just a flat tire.”

I am starting to think sarcasm may be my deep gladness….anyone want to comment on the biblical-ness of *that*?

By: Dan Garrett

Dan Garrett — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:42 +0000

Jennifer, you are an incredible writer! Your honesty lights up the page. (And your sarcasm keeps me reading; I wish it was one of the spiritual gifts.)

I have always loved the Buechner quote. (Actually, I love most what Buechner writes. But now, you have rattled my cage a little. I guess I will need to re-visit it for a little more analysis.)

As Jon W points out, I have also felt the resistance to (what I consider biblical) teaching which de-emphasizes God’s intricate control over every aspect of our lives and focuses on our role to make wise decisions. “There’s a reason for everything, even though we don’t always understand” is one of the most misguided life and theological philosophies I face when teaching/preaching. And there is often confusion as individuals come up to discuss.

And as for “deep gladness,” my humble opinion is: there is not a single deep gladness, in the same way there is not a single “world’s deep hunger.” There are hungers in this world which resonate with my own spirit’s joy. And when those intersect, there is nice synergy.

By: Al

Al — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:43:46 +0000

With the caveat that I don’t have Scripture for any of this…
It’s always seemed to me that God doesn’t want me to wander aimlessly. As my Father, he’s provided good resources for me to use to make good and Godly decisions. In the Bible, whenever we see Him intervene to direct, it seems to be linked to a path that the receiver would not have chosen. One example that comes to mind is Hosea’s wife. His parents probably raised him to find a nice, Godly girl, yet God had a specific task for him that required otherwise.
After 35 years as a Christian, I’m sure of very few doctrines, but one of them is that my Father loves me with unbelieveable grace, and won’t let me stray if I’m open to good counsel and apply common sense (informed by everything He’s showing me in His word).

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:01:31 +0000

Anna, that feeling–that if we don’t have a calling we must be a sub-par Christian–is exactly why I wrote this post. I don’t think that’s biblical. My reading of scripture affirms that Christ does lead us as we draw close to him, but that leading may or (very probably) may not include specifics.

Anthony, thanks for your honesty. FWIW, some of the best preachers I know are introverts and deep thinkers.

By: Anthony Florence

Anthony Florence — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:19:04 +0000

Since you ask, my deep gladness is found in everything involved and everything God does in sermon preparation and delivery. But it scares the spackle out of me, because I’m a shy introvert who probably comes across as an antisocial, humorless, unsuccessful, stuck up weirdo in large crowd interaction in general, which leads me to wonder sometimes if my “call” is just some sort of disguised narcissism,and leads me to send out resumes, pray, turn down youth ministry offers, and work wherever I can find a job.

By: AnnaB

AnnaB — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:31:05 +0000

My theory is that I don’t have a specific “calling” because I don’t have a close enough relationship with Christ. Doesn’t he lead us if we spend enough time in his presence? Is a lack of a “calling/passionate ministry” really a sign of a Christian who hasn’t matured?

By: todd dillon

todd dillon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:13:53 +0000

i am thinking that we all think a little too highly of our selves if we sit around waiting for a burning bush experience…now don’t get me wrong…He loves us all dearly and gives us gifts , and knows us so well that He probably has a “best idea” for each one of us…but really…if He has a super specific task for us…He will let us know in no uncertain terms…there will be no question…If you haven’t got that message yet, then don’t wait around…get busy…make choices…but concentrate on becoming the person He wants you to be and loving the people in your path as you do it…i think he is more interested in out character than he is what profession we choose…wouldn’t you rather be known as a kind, compassionate, giving, garbage man rather than a selfish, rude, whiny missionary??? It’s what on the inside that matters…