The Treadmill

"We human beings weren't designed to go around in circles, as on a treadmill. We were made to move toward a purpose. We were made to grow."
- Stephen R. Graves and Thomas G. Addington

Yesterday I was thinking about how someone following after Christ in their life can decipher God's call. I think that for many young twenty-somethings, this is a difficult issue. We have just spent thousands of dollars on an education that is supposed to set us onto a career path for the rest of our lives. That career is supposed to make us feel happy and fulfilled because we were called to do it.

But calling is a loaded word, isn't it?

Let's face it. For most people, there is a disconnect between what they do for a living and what makes them happy. It is a rare gift to find that perfect job, one that integrates it all together. Especially for those of us just entering the workforce. All too often we end up feeling like we're caught on a treadmill, working a dead end job that's leading us straight into a life of discontent. So what are we to think?

What if we could learn to separate the concept of calling from career?

I believe God created us with a defined purpose in mind, and when we are cut off from that life force I think that we feel aimless and stunted. But our true purpose and calling can have little connection with what we "do" by day.

We can be doctors, lawyers, musicians, assistants, mothers, fathers, the list can go on. While those can and certainly should be an outlet for us to fulfill our calling, it is not the same thing as calling in and of itself.

The article Abiding Passion defined calling as such, "God's personal invitation for me to work on His agenda, using the talents I have been given in ways that are eternally significant."

That definition is sort of freeing.

Using my specific giftings and talents to make a difference? That I can do.

That could mean caring for a co-worker whose family is falling apart. Standing up for the injustice of human-trafficking and sex-slavery. Sharing a meal with people you love. And etc.

If we could learn to redefine our definition of calling, perhaps we could do a better job of remembering what is eternally significant. And along the way, I think we might find the kind of joy that brings true fulfillment.


Abiding Passion, by: Stephen R. Graves and Thomas G. Addington, published in Catalyst Groupzine Vol:3

WE FORGOT STEVE!

I arrived bright and early Saturday morning to meet my fellow Proteges. And although 6am is anything but a kind time of the day, we were in the highest of spirits. There was an energy and anticipation throughout the room as we chattered amongst ourselves. We couldn't wait to set out on our adventure across LA!

So we loaded up in two separate cars and set out for our first destination. About 30 minutes into the drive, just after exiting towards downtown, one of our leaders got a text message from his wife that read,

"You forgot Steve!"

Chad frantically shared the bad news. We had left Steve at his house! The car was a-buzz. We couldn't believe someone had gotten left behind! Confused and concerned, Chad phones the other vehicle.

"YOU FORGOT STEVE," he gushes into the phone, only to hear this question,

"Who's Steve!?!"

We'd gotten so caught up in the moment that it took us that long to realize there wasn't even anyone named Steve in our group!! Unfortunately, we HAD left someone back at the house, but his name was Chris not Steve. Chris, a British gent, had dropped his belongings into the car and headed back inside to use the loo. Only to return just in time to watch our tail lights drive off in the distance. Each car had innocently assumed Chris was with the other group. Although not an ideal situation, we all had a pretty good laugh about it.

But isn't that just like us?

We make so many assumptions about other people. And while this assumption was innocent and easy to fix, I fear that there are far too many that leave irreparable damage to those we overlook.

So how do we avoid this? How can we can learn to see each other? To see past those initial assumptions?

My Big News!

As some of you might have known, in September I began a Master's program at Fuller Theological Seminary. But after a few short weeks, I began to realize that the program just wasn't the right fit for me. I was confused. I thought that God had been leading me to California to pursue a degree, and yet I already felt a discontent that He was pushing me towards something new.

Dustin and I had both been attending Mosaic since we came to California and were loving our experience in that community. I had heard about the Protege program from several trusted friends, and as I began to re-consider my plans at Fuller I realized that God was putting a new opportunity right in front of me!

Protégé a unique two year training program involving multi-dimensional training for emerging leaders in a dynamic church environment known for its creativity, diversity, and missional focus. It was an opportunity for me to get back in to serving directly in ministry, and learn from leaders that I admire.

In November, I began the application process and found out that I was accepted!

So bright and early tomorrow morning, I will begin my first official day at Mosaic.

I am so excited, but I am also nervous because to take this step I must re-enter the support-raising realm. And in the expensive city of LA, this is no small task. But as I stated in yesterday's post my word for 2011 is TRUST.

I will trust that God has me in LA for a purpose.
I will trust that He is big enough to provide for ALL of my needs.
And I will trust that I am entering a new journey where God is going to blow me away with all that He is capable of accomplishing for good in this world.

And I can't wait!

Crying a River

For weeks now, my best friend has been pestering me to set goals for 2011. But for some reason, this year I have been entirely resistant to the idea.

Why? I can't quite say.

Perhaps it's because I am feeling lazy. Or perhaps it is because at this moment, my 2011 seems so vague and unclear that I find it impossible to imagine what kind of goals would be appropriate. Aside from the typical "Lose 10 pounds" sort of goal, and we all know how successful goals like that can be, don't we?

Tonight, she offered me an alternative. What if I chose just one word that would define my new year? One word that I want to infuse into every new decision, every new endeavor, and every new relationship.

This intrigued me. But what should word should I choose?

The past few weeks, I've done nothing but cry. In fact, I've probably cried enough to actually put real, running water into the LA river. And anyone who's spent time in LA knows that's a feat in and of itself.

I've entered a phase of life where God is challenging me in every way possible. Financially, relationally, and spiritually.

I am often scared.
I am often anxious.
I am often weary.

I don't say any of this for sympathy, it's just the honest truth. And so, without answers and without hesitancy, I feel that there is only one word I can choose as I enter 2011...

Trust.

Simple, yet absolutely necessary.