"Image"

The July challenge for The Worship Community songwriters group is based on Colossians 1:15-20.  The part that stuck out to me is how all believers are growing more into Christ's image.  As the Lord refines us, we grow closer and closer to Christ's image whom is the visible nature of the unseen God.  How do we grow into the image of Christ?  It all starts with repentance.  We must always be humble if we are willing to open our lives up for God to change us.  Our hearts must be revived to love like Christ.  As our hearts are revived, we are restored.  This is a constant cycle until we are all transformed into Christ's perfect image.  This process is difficult.  It requires a constant refining.  This is why believers must be diligent in the process.

"Image" was written by Tom Kline, Melanie Siewert, Mark Snyder, and Earl Reed.  This version is the first draft.  As we collaborate more on the song, we hope to have it ready for the songwriters group soon.  In the meantime, please feel free to share your comments about the song here.  Input is always valuable when writing a song.  It will only make it better.  :-)

Processing A Calling

Recently, I posted my thoughts about how to process a calling on theworshipcommunity.com to compare with other worship leaders and pastors how they processed theirs.  I am still blessed by all the responses.  The Lord continues to bless me with godly mentors who invest their time and resources in helping me grow in my calling.  I pray I am also able to help others process their passions for ministry just as much as my mentors are helping me.  Yes, there are "ups and downs" to my journey, but I know God is in the middle of every moment.  If you are struggling with the process of your calling, check out THIS ARTICLE at The Worship Community, and please post here if it helps.  Also, feel free to share your story with how you processed your calling into full time ministry.  I'd love to hear how God moved you.  Blessings!

Spaghetti Vision

Lately, I’ve been finding myself “testing the waters” when it comes to my vision.  In doing so, I would cast out pieces of my vision to see if any stick.  Then I began to wonder, isn’t that like cooking spaghetti?  Most of the times in a calling, God has us sit and wait while the calling “cooks.”  How do we test the spaghetti to see if it’s done?  Take a string and throw it up against the wall.  If it sticks, it’s ready to serve.  Sounds like fun!!!!  Over the past two weeks, I’ve been casting glimpses into my vision to various people to see what kind of reaction I would get (ie. see if it sticks).  The responses have been mind blowing.  People seem like they would be on board with it, and many have shown encouragement toward that vision with some even offering some very useful counsel.  I’m in the process of gaining mentors in my passion area, and praying the Lord teach me more of his ways.

Growing in My Calling

For a few years now, I’ve felt nudges from God about moving into full time ministry.  Although I am eager to grow in this area, circumstances have not yet lent themselves to open doors.  I’m at a point where I feel like I am standing still.  My only learning/growing is online in my own time with no one around to share my thoughts or struggles.  In my personal prayer time, I keep sensing the Lord telling me that my development must occur in a safe and secure place (like the image of a womb).  Honestly, this is a very lonely place or me.  Out of desperation, I called a friend whom I’ve known for a very long time, but have not communicated with her much over the past few years.  Our conversation was anointed.  I felt the presence of God in her words as she gave me practical advice on growing in my calling.  Here is what I’m learning now:

-- ALWAYS pursue the caller more than the calling.  God calls us to various places, some temporary and some permanent.  We need to be close enough to hear God’s whisper to know where to go and how to do it.  Also, by the time we are where God wants us to be, there will come times where we are overwhelmed and desperately need God again.  Developing a habit of pursuing the caller is THE most important trait when moving into the direction of your calling.  This spoke to me deeply!  Whenever I pursued the calling, I got burned out.  When I pursued the caller, he carried me in the direction of his calling.  WOW!  Right now, I am pursuing God fiercely so he will reveal to me those obstacles that prevent me from doing his will.  He will open the doors, and he will give me the connections I need to move in the direction he desires.

-- Obedience is better than sacrifice.  When God fulfilled his promise to Abraham to have a son, Abraham was thrilled.  He enjoyed raising his son in the ways of the Lord, teaching him all the great things of God.  Then, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.  Abraham obeyed.  On the way up the mountain, Abraham told his son what was about to happen.  He told his son, God would provide the sacrifice.  Abraham’s faith KNEW God would provide the sacrifice even if it meant raising his son from the dead.  Comparing this story to God’s calling on my life, I had to ask myself, if God fulfilled his calling within me, am I willing to give it up simply because he asked me to?  Am I willing to forsake what I have (even those things I love the most) for the sake of His kingdom?  Am I willing to obey no matter the cost?  In all truthfulness, this is a struggle for me.  I’ve worked so hard doing what God has asked me to do, and forsaking it all is very difficult.  However, I realize when in full time ministry, I will certainly find myself at that crossroads.  Some opportunity will come along outside my calling, and I have to know whether God is asking me to forsake my calling for this “opportunity,” or if the “opportunity” is a distraction from what God truly wants me to do.  With that said, my heart says yes, although it is very tough.

So with all that said, I feel I’m ready to move.  I’m praying for open doors.  I need the Lord to send me a mentor in the area of His calling for me.  I’m praying the finances will be there if I need to attend conferences, seminars, materials, etc.  In the meantime, I’m seeking friendship here where I am.  Although my friend of many years was there for me when I needed her, she lives far away.  I need a good local friend who will walk along side me because, frankly, I need the encouragement.  Well, there’s my heart, out in the open, and on the blog.  It’s proof-positive I’m still a work in progress as I grow more into the image of God.  Blessings!