The number one question I get from being in Seminary is "What do you want to do when you get out?" It's a very good question and I tend to ask people the same thing. Now I know have certain gifts and know certain things I'm good at. Yet, sometimes it's hard to practically place these things to form a career. I don't feel like I'm a very dynamic speaker, so I question whether or not preaching is what I'm called to do. I am currently planning a ministry that is so far over my head I have no business talking about. Yet, deep down I expect greatness. I expect to make a difference in this world. So how do I feel so inadequate to serve, yet have so much confidence in the future. It is because my God and Holy Spirit is so much greater than anything I could provide. I do have strengths, but they are given by God. Let me give you some examples of how this message sparked and I gained a lot more trust in the Holy Spirit the last few weeks.
Many of you know I like writing letters of encouragement to people. About two weeks ago I had it on my heart to communicate some things to a few people, but they weren't necessarily like my normal messages. One was to a person I've never written too before. It was encouraging, but I wasn't sure how they would accept this message. A second letter basically was written to bring comfort to a struggle that I wasn't even sure was occurring. I told this person to follow God and seek His guidance in something I merely assumed they were dealing with. I later thought to myself, Alex you're an idiot. You don't know what's going on in their life. The other I just had a overwhelming desire to show my appreciation to one of my friends. We don't share our feelings much, so I wasn't exactly sure how he would respond. I say this to illustrate that after I sent these messages I had doubt and even regret to some extent to sending them. I just wasn't sure how they would respond. Then their responses came.
The first person told me that they hadn't had their usual joy at work and had even been snappy with a couple of people. They said they went to the break room and read my e-mail and were reminded of who they were in Christ. They told me that their students noticed a difference in their demeanor immediately when they got back to the classroom. They even asked where all the joy came from.
The second person confessed to me that they had been struggling with exactly what I had assumed. They said they needed encouragement and it just really motivated them to know someone was identifying with them and praying for them.
The third person said that they were getting so caught up in their studies they began to lose sight of their purpose. They said my e-mail helped him realize his purpose in their hard work. He said it was exactly what he needed to joyfully press on.
All three made a statement that they knew my message was from God. I have preached a couple of sermons and some more messages in small groups and always received great feedback. I watch my videos and am almost embarrassed about my nervousness and how I stumble through messages. It isn't good. But God works through them. The Holy Spirit is in my conversations, guiding my heart, and letting the Words of God transform lives.
So I say all this for a couple of reasons. First, if you think you are weak and only capable of simple things and that you can't impact the kingdom, then I praise God for your humility. But never doubt that God created you for a purpose and will use you to glorify His name. If you have identified you're strengths and are using them, I pray that you always remember they are from God. Keep giving thanks and using what you've been given to win souls for Christ. Thirdly, recognize that the Holy Spirit is using mundane tasks to reveal God to people. Recognize what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. If you are obedient to the word of God you will know how to wisely approach the world and to live. If you are desperately praying for God you will form an adoration for Him and a humility about yourself. By seeking after God, He will delight in sending His Spirit to work through you. Take confidence in this because He can do mightier things through you than you could ever do for yourself. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I know it's going to be great and God will use it somehow. I am just going to closely listen for His direction.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not may were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
If all you know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified then that is more than enough. For our wisdom comes from Him. So boast about His name because though we are weak we will shame the strong. I pray that each accomplishment we have we will recognize how God simply used us to bring glory to Himself.
I have a few things on my mind right now so expect some more posts in the next couple of days. Love you guys!
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