Yesterday, I was discussing how to say no to the ministries for which you don’t have a passion. It occurred to me that talent and skill also play a role with that.
Have you ever felt like you “needed” to do something you neither wanted to do nor felt you were qualified to do?
My kids were involved for years in a great Christian program. The leaders of the group just assumed I’d take a supportive role in the ministry, even thought it wasn’t required to. In fact, only about a third of the parents worked in the program. And I already had ministries and responsibilities. Every year, I felt the pressure because the leaders were some of my closest friends.
I waffled with this. Had a few attempts to be part of the ministry, but I not only had no desire to be a leader in the group, I was lousy at the required work!
That’s not always an obvious indication of God’s path. Moses wasn’t so hot at being a spokesman – at least he didn’t think so. But then, I’m hoping I would clue in to God’s path for me if a burning bush started talking to me.
(Not entirely sure about that, but I hope I’d recognize God’s voice.)
The bottom line is to pray that God leads and then listen to the leading that He does show you with pure motivation of wanting to follow. I think He honors that. He gives the Spirit of Truth, not confusion. So any confusion would more likely lie within ungodly issues like guilt, laziness, or personal agendas.
Today, in Thirty Days of Devotion, there was a little insight to the expectations and realities of Dear Boy’s mission to Africa. If you’ve been reading along, you know that not everything was rosy, but I can tell you that the things he learned, his spiritual growth, and the amazing examples of faith that he saw changed him.
God’s footprints were all over that path for my boy! Of that, I have no doubt!
Your turn: What ministries interest you, but you can’t imagine getting used in such a way?
Tomorrow, in Thirty Days of Devotion, we’ll finish up this short section on passions with the article called, “Passions Blessed.” I hope you’ll come on back and share some of your thoughts. Meanwhile, I have to share a version of the ageless hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.” This one, song by First Call, has sections in Swahili.
Marji Laine 
2015/September at 9:25 am
I think you’re right about that. I’d expect others in your situation would feel so alone. Like they are the only ones with such a rare way of life from injury or disease. You’re blog hits them where they are. That’s something I can’t do. I can only sympathize in a small way. You know how they hurt and how that pain can attempt to define them. And from that place you can help them keep their courage up!
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2015/September at 6:22 pm
I’ve lived isolated from society for so long (about 7 years) because of the extremity of my Toxic Injury, that it sounds weird, but it’s true–I can hardly remember what it is like to be a part…. In fact, I can’t even read our own church’s bulletin because of the ink and scents on it. I hope this changes when we get into our new house, but in order to get well enough for my husband to get a job, I must not be a part of anything regularly in town for probably at least a year. (I am hoping I can at least have friends out every week or 2.) Then after that, I likely will not be able to handle anything more than just taking care of our daughter and things at home and my health while he works. (And Lord willing, hopefully still blog & draw when I’m too tired to do anything else.) How long that period of continued isolation for the benefit of our family will last, who knows…. I know, my life is really, really weird…. But I am sure that God has called me to minister through blogging. It’s something I never expected. I feel called to blog about suffering. Not a popular subject, 🙂 but I almost can’t help but speak what is in my heart. There are a lot more people suffering than I realized before. Anyway, I didn’t not picture being used by God in this way, but I hope and pray I always remember to listen to Him and do what He says.
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