Tuesday
Hi All
Sorry for the lack of a Resistance Fighters post yesterday. It was my little guys 3rd birthday on Monday and between celebrating on Sunday and Monday (one more party still to come on Wednesday) I’m a little behind on the blogging.
So I was walking home this morning from an appointment (yes I chose to walk) and just letting my thoughts run a little. Reflecting on where life is at right now. The big thing that is missing for me right now is some ministry/outreach. When I was working for a church I was constantly going on about needing to be more outwardly focused and reaching out to the community. Right now I’m not really putting that in to practice in my own life. We still have no idea what we are going to do about church on a long term basis but this issue goes beyond that.
I am the only believer in my family and one of only a handful of believers among all the people I grew up with. Despite this I don’t feel like I’m spiritually investing in any ones life. I’m not connecting with people I should be and I’m not in the community the way I feel believers should be. I am building into the lives of my students and have had a number of fantastic conversations with some recently. I have a few who really feel comfortable sharing stuff with me when they’re having a hard time but I still feel like there’s more.
Maybe I’m being too hard on myself. Maybe I’m missing some good that I am doing. I am thrilled with the direction my life is taking right now but I do still feel like there is something missing. I’m not positive what it is but I’m looking forward to finding out what it is and what God is going to do with it.
As I’ve been writing this post the thought that started going through my mind is that the key for me is to be patient. I have a tendency to try and force things sometimes when I feel like I’m missing something. I need to remember that the plan for this time was transition and healing. Why would I want to force or rush that? I want to come out of this time energized and refreshed and prepared for whatever ministry God has planned for me.
Thanks for reading my ramblings. This wasn’t my intent but it was very therapeutic.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Hey Charlie,
I’m feeling some of the same feelings on this end. How to practice what I preach (literally) without it being forced and fake. I’m joining a choir between now and May to do something (we’re singing Mozart’s Requiem). One of the things that’s been good to feed my thinking is the idea of third spaces. Check it out at http://missionaltribe.org/groups/third-places.
One suggestion, that I’ve read from multiple sources, is to find a consistent location where there will be people that you go to the same time every week. Go there to work or read or write or learn or exercise, but be open to meeting the regulars or staff or other participants.
Anyway…just some thoughts.
Have fun on the journey!
March 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
The normal ups and downs of the Christian life. Nothing to worry about. That’s a sin anyway
I think you are being too hard on yourself. When the time is right you’ll get a good word or two in for Jesus when you can…or not!
You’re forgiven and tomorrow is another day.