A Call to Die

Today is just a quick book suggestion. I'm going to try and mention good books a lot as I come across them because I think they make good mentors. When I have times in my life when there's not someone there pouring into me and discipling me personally, I always turn to books. I love all kinds of genres, but I've had to pretty much nix all fiction books at this stage of my life because I have so little time to read I figure that I better make it something extremely useful. So fiction is reserved for laying on the beach, otherwise it's good books that teach me and grow me spiritually.
The book for today is actually a devotional created for students, but I recommend it for adults as well. It's called "A Call to Die" by David Nasser. I am currently going through it with my small group of 10th and 11th grade girls. It's my 3rd time through it and it's still wearing me out. It really is an awesome tool to step up your quiet times. It suggests carving out an hour a day for it, but if that sounds overwhelming you could cut out some of the journaling. I totally recommend actually doing all of the journaling because it really helps you focus on what God is specifically telling you, but I think the book is so good that I'd rather you skip the writing than not read it at all. Some of the applications are more student-focused, but overall it is really for anyone. If you have a teenager in your life (son or daughter, niece/nephew, a kid from church, neighbor), kill two birds with one stone and go through it together...you grow and they get discipled.
It's a 40 day journey of fasting from the world and feasting on God. I've haven't heard of anyone who's gone through it that didn't LOVE it. Click on the pic below to buy it!!!

What Do You Feel Called To Do?

Oh my. I confess right here and now that I am a terrible blogger. If I get really busy or in a funk, this blog is the first thing to drop out of my schedule. Hence the lead in from my last post promising more on a topic "tomorrow"...it's only been 4 weeks. But I'm still as fired up about the issue as I was then (and probably always will be), so here we go.
Here's what gets me. So, there's a need in the church. This body of believers that Jesus Himself is the head of has some holes that need to be filled. Maybe there's no one to invest into the lives of kindergartners or maybe 1 man is trying to disciple a group of 15 6th grade boys and REALLY needs to share the burden. Maybe the children's minister hasn't been in "big church" in 9 months or maybe a community group/sunday school class/ bible study is having trouble being effective because there's no one to keep the kiddos. There are a lot of "holes" that pop up in ministry all the time. But there's also a lot of people in our churches claiming to be Christ-followers. So, you'd think "Lots of Christ-followers. Lots of needs in Christ's body. Problem solved." But this is most definitely not the case, thanks to the wonderful and spiritual phrase, "I just don't feel like that's where I'm called to serve." You gotta admit that's pretty good. I mean, whose gonna argue with that? (Other than me, that is:)) If you're not feeling "called" to do it, who am I to beg and plead with you?
I, however, would like someone to show me in the Bible where that is a legit excuse. I'm pretty sure that by saying they don't "feel called" to it really means that it's not something that gives them the warm fuzzies. It's not glamorous. They pretty much just don't feel like doing it. But what I find in the Bible are lots of people doing things that they don't feel like doing. Jonah didn't "feel like" preaching to the people in Ninevah. I'm sure John the Baptist didn't get all giddy about the idea of confronting Herod knowing it could cost him his life (and did, in fact). And probably the best example is Jesus. He wasn't excited about dying on a cross. He even asked for a way out. But, ultimately, He did what He knew had to be done. So, bottom line, you can't assume that God is only going to lead you to do things that are fun or exciting or right up your alley. There is no promise in the Bible that says that you will hear a choir of angels and get an adrenaline rush when just the right opportunity arises and then you'll know that that is what you're "called" to do. Nope. You may hate the idea. You may sweat blood like Jesus (especially if it's the 6th grade boys' group). Maybe you'll even beg God to "take this cup from you". And that's fine. As long as, in the end, you suck it up and just do what needs to be done.
I do think that sometimes there is a second reason for using the "don't feel called" excuse. For instance, take the aforementioned middle school boys' group scenario. Or maybe leading a bible study. Or discipling a younger man or woman. A lot of times it's not just that it doesn't sound fun and perfect, but also that we don't feel the least bit qualified. We freak out and back out because we know that we will stink at it. And that just may be true. But I've found that that's usually God's point.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise."
-1 Cor. 1:27

Maybe you think, "I'm too foolish to lead that small group". Ummm...maybe that's a sign that God's choosing you to lead that small group.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power." -1 Cor. 2:4

Maybe you think, "But I'm not wise and persuasive enough." Well, apparently if you were there would be no way for the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His power.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
-2 Cor. 12:9

Maybe you use your weaknesses as an excuse to not do anything instead of boasting about them.

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses..."
-2 Cor. 12:10

The problem is that lots of Christians, hugely including myself, have bought into the lie that their effectiveness depends on their ability (thank you to my dear hubby for giving me that quote last night at his AWESOME bible study). So when we hear that the kids' ministry or the student ministry or the adult ministry needs a new small group leader we immediately assess our abilities. If we don't feel like they measure up, then obviously we aren't "called" to do it. But God says, "Yeah, you don't measure up. In fact you never will. You will never be smart enough or cool enough or able enough to transform someone's life. So would you please just do something that you know you stink at and MAYBE My power will be enough to take up your slack?" It's one of the many paradoxes of the Christian faith...the weaker you are at it, the more of God's power gets revealed.
In summary, I would like to say that I do acknowledge that God does have different "callings" for different people. For instance, Jono and I know that we have been "called" to lifelong, full-time ministry. (Apparently I have an issue with the word "called" since I find myself putting quotations around it every time. It's just been abused.) So yes, I know that there are going to be specific things that God is going to want you to do with your life. But, in the words of my hubby again, "There are some things you just do because you're part of the family." I don't wait until I "feel" like doing the laundry because, I assure you, the day would never come. Jono doesn't wait until he "feels" like taking out the garbage. I don't let my kids just wait until they "feel" like cleaning their rooms.
If you're part of the family and something needs to be done, you do it.
And if you're still struggling with feelings of inadequacy read 1 & 2 Corinthians. Paul, who wrote most of the new testament and was like the ULTIMATE missionary goes on and on about how inadequate he was. You should also check out this book:

*I would like to point out that the examples given as areas of need in a church are just random scenarios that I pulled out of my head. None of them are necessarily needs within my AWESOME church, Crossroads. In fact, our 6th grade boys already have an AMAZING LEADER and they don't need to split. This post is not intended to guilt anyone and is not written as a public service announcement for Crossroads. It truly is something that God had to teach me through the many times I have tried to wiggle out of service because something didn't strike my fancy or I just plain out knew I couldn't pull it off. I apologize for any semblance of pointing my finger. Believe me, this has been and probably will be again a plank in my own eye. Just sharing something I've learned.