The Beauty of Good Old Fashioned Work

I apologize that I am delayed in getting my blogs out there, but I have been working my second job setting up tents. I am tired, my hands are cut and bruised, and my sinuses are killing me, but oh I am so grateful. To wake up in the morning and have a purpose. My purpose being to earn money for my family, build relationships with my co-workers, and ultimately be an example for Christ. When I'm not doing that I get to passionately minister as a pastor. I am busy, but oh so blessed and enjoying it all.
There is something about being tired at the end of the day because you actually did something, and something that really mattered. When I talk to people and their days consist of internet surfing, video game playing, television watching, and other similar activities, I feel bad for them! All of those activities promote isolation and take away from those things which really matter.
My advice to you is get busy doing things that actually matter. I am not telling you to get busy and stressed out about things. I mean enjoy the opportunities that God gives you to do things that support your purpose on earth. How blessed we are to be busy with Kingdom work!

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Purpose

Sometimes we need to question whether or not we are focused on God's divine purpose for our lives. We can get distracted with careers, education, hobbies, family, etc. None of those things are bad if we figure out how to incorporate everything into our divine purpose. Sometimes people assume that discovering one's divine purpose is to figure out a certain career path. For instance, it may be easy for me to say that my purpose is to act as a pastor at BCC. This is not the case, I have narrowed too much. Rather, my divine purpose is to act as a pastor. I have a shepherd's heart and desire to nurture people to a place where they function at their highest potential. To limit my calling to BCC would be to neglect so many other opportunities I have. For instance, I flew out to Denver for a funeral. Not a single person in attendance will probably ever move to Indianapolis and become a part of BCC, but I still have a responsiblity to pastor anywhere and any time. Why? Because it is my natural calling. I am here to help regardless of whether or not someone is officially a member of BCC.
This helps me to grab those divine moments when I can be an instrument of God. I like the concept of a pastor, because it gives me the freedom to do whatever is necessary in particular situation. Sometimes I preach to help, or maybe teach, or just be a listener, or go eat with them, or any number of things. If I recognize my call to pastoring and fulfill it at all times not just during office hours, then I open the door for God to move in a mighty way regularly and in every facet of my life. What is your divine purpose?

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Impact

I have been to 3 different funeral-related services in the last 4 days. The first was a viewing. The second was a memorial service. The third was a graveside service. It was abundantly clear to me at each service that the man who passed was very much impactful for the Kingdom of God. He truly was a saint who took God's commission seriously. It is as if he lived life on purpose and fulfilled his purpose.
Invariably, these thoughts begin to reflect on my own life. Am I impacting people with the Kingdom of God effectively and on purpose? Or is my life filled with self-gratifying moments that only impact my level of comfort? Perhaps, those of us who have not been putting in the effort, should think about the way we are mourned at our funerals. Not a single person questioned where this man ended up in eternity. Again and again people said the same thing about the character and giftings he possessed. The tears that were shed were simply because he will be so very missed, but there is almost an awe of all that he accomplished in mild-mannered way. Live to love God and his creation, if there is too much self-loving then it's time to make some changes.

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The Timing

God consistently teaches me lessons that I must be very careful to listen for. Specifically, I love that I am a pastor. I enjoy people for the most part and I like the variety that this job (if you can even call it that) allows me to partake in regularly. On any given day I can, prepare for a sermon, prepare for a lesson, discuss business on the phone or at meetings, counsel with people, do some good old fashioned manual labor in the building, or be out and about running needed errands. Everything that I do actually matters and I can tell that it matters.
When you love something so much and you have so much invested in it and God has been showing up more regularly, then it is difficult when suddenly your hands are tied. Due to the passing of a friend, I am leaving all this weekend for Denver. I love to go there and it will be fun, but it came at a time when there is so very much going on with the church family. I feel bad about having to leave and then it occurred to me that this is exactly what God wants. The church must and has to function while I am gone, or I have missed the boat. So many people can step up and stretch from their experiences while I am away.
I am becoming more and more excited because I realize that the pressure of worrying about how everything will go is now off me, because it is HIS bride in the first place. How glorious it is that God will still show up whether I am there or not. Instead, I can go and be with my friend, his family, and help out. That is my work for the Kingdom this weekend. Meanwhile, Bethel Community will keep on keeping on because God is alive in our Church.

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Saying Goodbye

This morning Crest Cummings passed away. From every angle I saw, he was an incredible husband, father, worker, and pastor. He was a man that I respected and getting to know his son on a close level, I have even more respect for him because his son is awesome. The only thing left now is to pray for the family and allow God to use the situation to bring a greater glory.
I am truly at a loss for words and have no idea how to communicate my feelings. My mind simply goes back to the story of Lazarus. Martha was comforted by Jesus because she knew that her brother would be resurrected on the other side. Jesus took it one step further and brought back her brother a mere four days after his death. Somehow, someway that story gives me comfort, because I know that Crest is resurrected on the other side. He wasn't healed and able to continue living on this earth as I had prayed, but instead he is glorified in a radiance that I have not yet experienced. May the intimacy with Christ that we should all strive for each day be realized fully for Crest this very day. He and His Father are one and in this I rejoice. What a glorious hope we have, even when the pain of the day seems to be too much. Praise the Lord, for He is good and his full revelation has been shown to Crest this day. Amen.

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Complacency

This last Sunday the message was on complacency. We looked at the glorious relationship that King David had with the Lord and how his complacency led to making some very foolish decisions and ultimately committing adultery and murdering. Pretty bad for somebody that is "a man after God's own heart." It shows us just how pathetic we are without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
I believe that David's repentence for his sin after he was confronted is one of the most beautiful examples of what is right in this world. When God comes knocking at our door, a wonderful thing will take place if we choose to open it. The thing we must understand is that we need to open the door even if we don't feel like revealing what is inside us.
There is nothing sadder than seeing a believer choose to ignore the knocks of God. I completely understand that areas of guilt and shame will explode and cause issues, but seriously, why keep the door shut when the creator of the universe is giving us the option to make things right again. I am so torn up inside because I see the unwillingness of people to release that which is evil in their lives and it hurts deeply, because I know for a fact where that road leads.
On the other hand, their are those people who bring incredibly joy to me because they choose to open the door and let the light shine on areas of darkness in their lives. It reminds me of the power of Christ to make all things new.
David cried out after his sin was made known: "Create in me a clean heart; renew a right spirit within me." Let that line be our prayer when we don't have the courage to step from the shadows.

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Events of a Believer

Sometimes it is good to get away and enjoy the company of fellow believers and the perspective of different speakers. Do we get away often enough to hear different ideas and see how God is moving in different places? Many times we get in the same rut of hearing the same minister all the time. It is of great importance to have someone to who you have a reference point. At some point though, we should seek to expand our horizons.
So, this week I am at a conference to get different perspectives. I am sure it will be a blessed time. Take the opportunity to look at things in Scripture you may some times avoid because of unfamiliarity. Experience other churches from time to time to get perspective. Most of all, have fun learning. May the Spirit of God guide you in your passion to know HIM more.

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