I must admit to you, I've been wrestling lately whether I should continue writing this blog and posting pictures to my 365 blog project on my photography blog. I begin to question what is the purpose? what is the result? is it worth the time spent? is it serving others?
All this wrestling leads me to the deeper questions:
What is God's purpose for my life?
What is He calling me to do?
Do any of you wrestle with this question?
Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you
Genesis 12:1
And Abram went, with his large family and all his friends and herding a bunch of sheep. And on camels and on foot they traveled for 800 miles. And this is the kicker.
He was 75 years old.
But he went, following God's call, trusting completely even though he did not feel equipped to do His will, and had no idea where he was going and why he was going there.
How did Abram know it was God's voice?
I'd love it if God's voice was as loud as, lets say, the 30,000 or more fans at the Edmonton Eskimo football games I attend yelling "GO ESKS GO!"
Can you imagine? What if you heard a large crowd chanting "Go (your name) Go do (your purpose)?"
Would you go or would you still question? Do I have the right stuff? Am I equipped?
Is this really God's calling? Some questions you may want to ponder...
1) If God is calling you, you will probably feel unqualified. It is not the qualified that is called, it is the call that qualifies.
2) It feels radical. Like Abraham, you are taking a journey where you do not know the steps on how you will get there. To do this, you can't weigh the benefits or costs, but step out in complete faith, giving up your own will.
3) You feel useful. God's call advances others. His blessings on you, blesses others.
4) If it feels predictable and safe, good chance it is not God's voice being expressed in you.
Personally, I struggle to let go of my worldly pre-conceived ideas on how a plan needs to be in place before taking a step---well, more of a leap I'd say--- and my insecurities keep me wrapped around the tree branch on the cliff.
Are you holding on or letting go?
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:1).
17 comments:
I have been struggling with this myself over the past few months. I have had days where I think okay, you've written enough years,move on to something else. It isn't what God wants for you because you don't have a book deal yet....and then I think but I can't yet. It isn't the time to stop and back I go. Hang in there too! God is using you,I know that as I enjoy your blogs!
When I took my blog break I asked these very questions. God kept pointing me to His promise-- that He has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Like the elders would say, "I know that I know that I know..." I know God called me to write. I know that He called me to minister to women in their broken places- hence the rebirth of my blog The Potter's Wheel.
Keep praying sis:)
I ask myself these things all the time. I think he wants our talents to shine. But I also think I have to prioritize my time (which is really hard for me).
Very thoughtful post, which reflects some of the ponderings I've had lately. The problem is that his voice is a still, small voice, and can be hard to identify in all the noise that crowds us.
Gah, I've been struggling with this, too. Reading the comments, at least we know we're not alone. I've got a lot going on (at least on the emotional level) with some family events, and it's not always easy to know what God wants me to be doing.
Just my best, I guess.
Wow, what an awesome post, Lynn! This is my favorite line: "If God is calling you, you will probably feel unqualified." That one totally smacked me in the face...and in a good way. :)
(Thanks for visiting my blog and celebrating my unveiling, by the way!)
I do have to wonder if where I feel led is really God talking, or just me telling myself what I want to hear. I love your questions we can ask to ponder if what we're hearing is really God's call.
Good questions and good following points. I have been thinking along similar lines in various areas of my life. Thanks for the food for thought. :)
Good questions! It's so good to check your bearings regularly. Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome post, Lynn! Thanks for the challenge to continue following God's plan for my life - even when it gets difficult! It truly is a leap of faith isn't it? Gotta love that about our Lord! Needed this encouragement today! God bless!
Good stuff, Lynn! Your post helped solidify some things in my mind.
Keep your eye on the vision He gave you. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Susan :)
following the call is very radical. it can be no other way. the stories tell us that following the call means spending time in the desert or darkness and having to come out alive and whole.
i certainly do entertain these questions and wrestle with them.
there doesn't appear to be anything conventional about the call. jesus was killed for the crime of insurrection. most prophets have similar bad endings. those who follow the prophets are often threatened by the authorities at some point.
i also love that moses was a murderer, and god tapped him to lead the people. it shows, to me anyway, that we are all sinners, and god connects more easily with those who have come to terms with their brokenness.
wonderful, thoughtful post.
Hopefully letting go.
I've always wondered too, if Abraham physically heard God or if it was this feeling in his heart.
The right answer will come to you Lynn. It's not easy knowing how to spend our time and our energies. Good luck & take care! *hugs*
I constantly ponder these types of questions about my online efforts. The time involved doesn't always speak clearly to my primary purpose of writing fiction. However, I have also been "off-line" (not blogging, or involved in social media) and have felt isolated and stagnant.
Being active online is making me a better writer, but I am worse with my time management.
Something else to consider is that community is an important part of our Christian experience and one that we often overlook. On the other hand, social media can wipe out balance in our lives and sap our reflective time as well.
I hope you will continue to wrestle with this issue and then share what you discover. As you can tell from your comments, many of us are asking the same questions! :)
it's funny how deep thoughts sometimes slip into our heads this way. worthy questions, always.
Linked from Terri's blog. I like your questions here, or test, to ascertain God's possible calling. I ponder some of the same things you mention here. Good post.
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