Thursday, December 27, 2012

Don't Be A Runaway in 2013

What are you running from?

By that I mean, "what responsibility (calling) has God gifted you with, that you are avoiding?"

Not necessarily the Jonah / Nineveh thing.  At least God doesn't speak to us in that manner anymore.  However, He does gift us with certain talents, then providence works its way so that we find ourselves with opportunities to advance His kingdom.

For example, I've found myself as a leader within my circle of influence.  Consider:
  • Married for 18 years
  • 3 kids, growing up soon
  • A certified public accountant with clients calling and e-mailing for advice
  • A small group leader 
  • A blogging husband / father
  • And so on...
By now, I should be discipling, leading, encouraging, but...

Typically I see myself as a consumer, not producer, of ideas.  A follower, rather than a leader.  Still a middle school nerd, not cool enough.  As it turns out, somewhere in all my mountaintop and valley experiences of life, people are benefitting from my life experiences.  So much for "who cares what I think?"

Therefore, as our local church embraces a theme of maturity for 2013 (Colossians 1:9-14 see below), my call to maturity is to embrace my calling as trusted counsel, rather than avoid it with fear.  Some specific examples:
  • Don't get distracted with mundane tasks at home when I can dig deeper into my wife's and kids' happenings at home.
  • Speak boldly for the cause of Christ at home, on the job, and especially with extended family.
  • Pursue Bible reading and prayer with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm.
  • Don't let "introvert" be an excuse to pray with and for others, even during our church's one a month Sunday night prayer service.
As an analytical accountant, I unfortunately default to problem solving with my own wisdom instead of asking questions from a Biblical world view, so Bible reading and prayer is more urgent.  That may help me speak more boldly, and stay "on task" at home, building relationships.

So, back to you.  What's "out there" that you know you need to run "to" instead of "from?"  Do you work too much overtime?  Are you hiding behind your computer or TV?  Do you talk sports instead of asking what's going on in someone's heart?

Colossians 1:9-14 - "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

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