Friday, July 22, 2011
What Is Your Calling ???
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your comments on the CALLING post ... I love to be challenged by your faith ... Your words were like fuel to my fire, my passion, my voice ...
The beauty of scripture is that it isn't confusing ... There are COMMANDS in the word for all of us - 10 commandments, the great commission, James 1:27 and more ... I think one thing we struggle with here in America is the choice of words ... We don't like to use words such as: COMMAND, SUBMISSION, REPENTANCE, SIN, etc ...They are not pleasant words in our culture and somewhat of a taboo ... I will never forget one time long ago I heard a pastor say, "I am not sure why we have people in churches today say that they are RE-DEDICATING there life to Christ when in actuality they only way to do that is to REPENT and turn from your old ways." That struck me in a profound way ... Why can't we just say we need to REPENT ... Why do we need to use a flowery word that make our statement, as if we are doing some great deed of returning to the Savior ... We are sinful people and mess up daily and the FATHER KNOWS THAT ... That is why he went to the cross for our sins ... He paid the price for us !!! And perhaps we have started using the word CALLING in the same way... Because it shouldn't be about us making a statement, but about CHRIST being revealed in us ... A CALLING is taking the gifts, talents, and treasures that God has given us and using them to bring him Glory and further spread the message of the kingdom ...A CALLING is serious in that it is something God has shown to us each as individuals ... Do we all have different callings ??? WELL OF COURSE WE DO, but we are all called to something ... It really shouldn't be something that we decide, but rather something we feel the HOLY SPIRIT tugging at in our hearts and minds ... My CALLING is not greater than your CALLING ... We can't measure our gifts here on earth, but we can take stock in our ability to be OBEDIENT to our CALLING ... So let's be cautious to say that we are called to something and then when it gets tough or uncomfortable all of a sudden our CALLING has changed (I am not saying they don't in some instances) ... But many times we are sending a mixed message to our fellow believers ... It would be okay to say - I was thinking my CALLING was (blank), but in actuality it was my flesh wanting that and I realize I am suppose to do (blank) ... We are not perfect people and we make mistakes (a lot of them) and it is okay to be flawed in front of others ... But it has to hurt the Father when we place our change of heart or action on HIM when it was us who decided differently ...
Kingdom work is NEVER wrong ... I think lots of us stumble into our calling never knowing where it will lead or how it will impact us ... Do you think I had any idea that over 7 years ago our life would change in such a way that it would change the face of my family forever ... Do think I had any idea that God would plant a seed so deep in my heart and soul that I would not go a day without thinking about ORPHANS ... Do you think I had any idea how STRONG HE WAS IN ME ... I was clueless and blind and for that I am thankful ... I take the calling of SPEAKING UP FOR ORPHANS and sharing our story of adoption VERY SERIOUSLY ... You can't meet me and not know it is my passion ... I don't apologize for my boldness anymore ... SPEAKING UP LOUD is something my heart just does automatically (that is a lesson learned from my dear friend Katie) ... When I am speaking about the LORD and his heart for the least, the last, and the lost, HE wants HIS voice to be heard through me ...
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT YOUR CALLING then start w/ the COMMANDS in the bible and begin listening the small whispers in your spirit ... It my scare the living daylights out of you, but when it is from the ALMIGHTY FATHER and it is for the kingdom how can you NOT ... We are here for his purpose ...
I pray Scott doesn't read down this far in my post cause it will flip him out (because honestly it freaks me out on somedays)... hee hee ... But you would think that with just leaving the hospital w/ Maggie and juggling the needs of Joseph and just trying to figure out our fall schedule that the last thing on my mind is adoption, but I sometimes think that the LORD fills my heart w/ the thoughts of adopting again during my most difficult times to see if I am still listening to him and will I be a willing servant in the mist of chaos and hard times ... Do I understand HIS mission in my life over my desires for control and comfortableness ... I have had so many sweet precious people hint to me that my plate is full and THEY ARE RIGHT, but if God gives me a bigger plate I would not refuse ... I understand now what it means to live in the middle of HIS CALLING for my life and I don't want to ever put my hands over my ears, eyes, and hearts to block out HIS BLESSINGS !!! and F.Y.I. blessings aren't always HAPPY BUTTERFLY FEELINGS ... Sometimes they are simply HIS BRIGHT LIGHT in the center of lots of darkness and that is a most treasured GIFT ...
It feels really good to get this off my heart ... It was a challenge to myself and I hope an encouragement or challenge to you as well ... I appreciate you always sharing with me your thoughts and your faith ...
The beauty of scripture is that it isn't confusing ... There are COMMANDS in the word for all of us - 10 commandments, the great commission, James 1:27 and more ... I think one thing we struggle with here in America is the choice of words ... We don't like to use words such as: COMMAND, SUBMISSION, REPENTANCE, SIN, etc ...They are not pleasant words in our culture and somewhat of a taboo ... I will never forget one time long ago I heard a pastor say, "I am not sure why we have people in churches today say that they are RE-DEDICATING there life to Christ when in actuality they only way to do that is to REPENT and turn from your old ways." That struck me in a profound way ... Why can't we just say we need to REPENT ... Why do we need to use a flowery word that make our statement, as if we are doing some great deed of returning to the Savior ... We are sinful people and mess up daily and the FATHER KNOWS THAT ... That is why he went to the cross for our sins ... He paid the price for us !!! And perhaps we have started using the word CALLING in the same way... Because it shouldn't be about us making a statement, but about CHRIST being revealed in us ... A CALLING is taking the gifts, talents, and treasures that God has given us and using them to bring him Glory and further spread the message of the kingdom ...A CALLING is serious in that it is something God has shown to us each as individuals ... Do we all have different callings ??? WELL OF COURSE WE DO, but we are all called to something ... It really shouldn't be something that we decide, but rather something we feel the HOLY SPIRIT tugging at in our hearts and minds ... My CALLING is not greater than your CALLING ... We can't measure our gifts here on earth, but we can take stock in our ability to be OBEDIENT to our CALLING ... So let's be cautious to say that we are called to something and then when it gets tough or uncomfortable all of a sudden our CALLING has changed (I am not saying they don't in some instances) ... But many times we are sending a mixed message to our fellow believers ... It would be okay to say - I was thinking my CALLING was (blank), but in actuality it was my flesh wanting that and I realize I am suppose to do (blank) ... We are not perfect people and we make mistakes (a lot of them) and it is okay to be flawed in front of others ... But it has to hurt the Father when we place our change of heart or action on HIM when it was us who decided differently ...
Kingdom work is NEVER wrong ... I think lots of us stumble into our calling never knowing where it will lead or how it will impact us ... Do you think I had any idea that over 7 years ago our life would change in such a way that it would change the face of my family forever ... Do think I had any idea that God would plant a seed so deep in my heart and soul that I would not go a day without thinking about ORPHANS ... Do you think I had any idea how STRONG HE WAS IN ME ... I was clueless and blind and for that I am thankful ... I take the calling of SPEAKING UP FOR ORPHANS and sharing our story of adoption VERY SERIOUSLY ... You can't meet me and not know it is my passion ... I don't apologize for my boldness anymore ... SPEAKING UP LOUD is something my heart just does automatically (that is a lesson learned from my dear friend Katie) ... When I am speaking about the LORD and his heart for the least, the last, and the lost, HE wants HIS voice to be heard through me ...
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT YOUR CALLING then start w/ the COMMANDS in the bible and begin listening the small whispers in your spirit ... It my scare the living daylights out of you, but when it is from the ALMIGHTY FATHER and it is for the kingdom how can you NOT ... We are here for his purpose ...
I pray Scott doesn't read down this far in my post cause it will flip him out (because honestly it freaks me out on somedays)... hee hee ... But you would think that with just leaving the hospital w/ Maggie and juggling the needs of Joseph and just trying to figure out our fall schedule that the last thing on my mind is adoption, but I sometimes think that the LORD fills my heart w/ the thoughts of adopting again during my most difficult times to see if I am still listening to him and will I be a willing servant in the mist of chaos and hard times ... Do I understand HIS mission in my life over my desires for control and comfortableness ... I have had so many sweet precious people hint to me that my plate is full and THEY ARE RIGHT, but if God gives me a bigger plate I would not refuse ... I understand now what it means to live in the middle of HIS CALLING for my life and I don't want to ever put my hands over my ears, eyes, and hearts to block out HIS BLESSINGS !!! and F.Y.I. blessings aren't always HAPPY BUTTERFLY FEELINGS ... Sometimes they are simply HIS BRIGHT LIGHT in the center of lots of darkness and that is a most treasured GIFT ...
It feels really good to get this off my heart ... It was a challenge to myself and I hope an encouragement or challenge to you as well ... I appreciate you always sharing with me your thoughts and your faith ...
Will you let HIM fill your plate ??? !!!
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20 kind words.:
Right on girl!! I hear you and totally agree - thank you for your wonderful words from Him!
Oh how I love when you share your heart!
This is an absolutely beautiful and incredible post....thank you, thank you for sharing.
You have ministered to my spirit this evening. I will be pondering your words throughout the next coming days for sure.
Thank you for being transparent...thank you for keeping it real and speaking the truth no matter how much it might get uncomfortable.
My passion is for adoption...and always will be. But I had stopped praying for two little boys in the foster system that has been placed on my heart. My plate has been so full helping dd and SIL deal with our sick little grandson that I think my plate is too full....and here you go and write this.
The Holy Spirit speaking that is for sure. Satan wants us to get confused...lose our focus...stop praying in the midst of trials. We have been so busy praying for our grandson and feeling completely defeated that I haven't prayed for these two little boys in a week. I prayed and prayed and felt maybe they were not meant to be ours....but it was wrong for me to forget because of a "plate already full"...why haven't I leaned on Him?
Anyway, I digress.
Blessings to you.
Connie
Well said :).
All I can say right now is, "Wow!" Thanks!
Amen sista!! A bigger plate is something we all need...I love it!! So...when our plate is full...yes...let us pray for a bigger plate!! Especially when we are filling it with orphan ministries!!
Thank you so much for this post. I am almost ready to "wait" for a placement (again) from the foster care system (with the intention of addoption.) AGAIN! And of course, my family and faith is being tested daily! Thank you for reminding me that this IS my calling, my passion, and my heart's desire as a way of reflecting HIS love!! I will push aside those feelings of doubt and inability and focus on my "Help" and my salvation! Thank you again. Your post was perfect at a perfect time!!!
Thank you so much for this! You have been such a blessing to me today! You have no idea how much your words and encouragement have changed my life.
I have had a heart for adoption all my life. When my husband and I first got married we talked about it a lot. Then we had four biological children and even though adoption was still on my heart it was not my husband's. I prayed for years and he didn't budge....until he watched one of your husband's videos and his heart began to soften.
Now, months later we are in the process of adopting through foster care! Not only that , but God has now given my husband such a heart for these kids he is talking about leaving his finance job and going into ministry along with fostering and adopting multiple children.
We are currently on our way to a training class and right before I read this we were discussing some of the fears and doubts we were having. The biggest one being "Do we even have TIME for this?" Needless to say this post spoke to both of our hearts and I now feel more determined than ever!
Today I am resting in faith and thanks in part to your blog and by the grace of God we will be bringing a child home in as little as 6 months!
Our whole future is changing right before our eyes we are excites to see where the Lord will take us.
Thanks again for the encouragement and God bless!
Yes, challenging and encouraging. You know how sometimes you keep hearing the same thing over and over but in different places . .the word, church, a friend, a blog . . . and then you realize that it is actually the Lord speaking to you - bingo. Thank you for taking the time to write these truths.
Blessings,
Meghan
I do feel you on this. I think sometimes, personally, I get to thinking that there are bigger and better things, according to myself, I could be doing for God and He has to tell me to slow down and take care of the things, family, community, etc., that He's already given me. Sometimes I want to be more for God than He wants me to be right now, does that make sense? But when I stay in constant prayer and studying God's word, He can speak to me so much clearer.
Sorry for rambling.
Anyways, I am thankful for people like you who will tell us what's on their hearts and minds so that I can learn.
Love you and your heart Gwen! We're cut from the same cloth.
I am so blessed to have found your ministry and blog to follow!!!! Having you share that and be so bold and willing to live it loudly sharing the difficulty and the easy and that the blessings are often not what we would categorize as blessings just makes me really wanna jump up and down - hoop and holler and then get on my face before our King and say "fill my plate LORD!!!!" That's how I wanna live!!! Thank you and I am praying for ya'll daily!!!
I totally love hearing your heart!!! You are right in that his blessings aren't always butterflies...which is why people are shocked that adoption is HARD WORK.
My plate is full, but soo is my love for what God wants more than I want my plate to be a certain size or portion. I want God to show me my portion!!! I pray HE challenges me in new ways so I grow and not get stagnant.
This is so deep and beautiful because it is so true and simple. Thank you for saying what needs to be said.
You don't need me to "AMEN" this but I am anyhow. ....
...now I will wait for the blog post telling us about how you are bringing another one home....
it's a matter of time, my sweet.
xoxoxo
Esty
EXCELLENT post Gwen. I am feeling a little stagnant right now. I wonder what is around the corner for me if I just allow God to steer me in His direction.
Thank you so much for your post. I have been following your blog for awhile & have never commented but I wanted you to know how often your words have stirred me or touched me. God is using you for wonderful works and your obedience to Him is awesome :)
EXACTLY!
God and doesn't force Himself on us (someone I know says, "He's a gentleman"), so I do often think that those who "don't feel called" to adopt, may just be the ones covering their ears, and shielding their eyes in the name of comfort, luxury, and pursuit of self. Have they ever *asked* the Lord about His will in that area of their life?
I know, for us, we no longer claim to know what we will or will not be doing. Never thought I'd have 4 kids. NEVER thought I'd be moving to India for missions! Couldn't be happier about the loss of self, of comfort, and our American Dreams!
Tisra
www.fadelyfamily.com
Oh, Gwen, it is amazing how LOUDLY we can hear God when we are tired and when we are in the midst of a difficult journey.
I pray that, together, we can be VOICES for orphans. I pray that the world we SEE Jesus in our families and in our lives. I pray that Christians will STAND UP for the forgotten and make a difference....not matter how uncomfortable they are.
I pray I will follow Him as He leads the way!
Robbie in GA
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I feel God has called my family to foster and adopt. We have four older bio children and 3 years ago my step neice had twin boys and we got them at 3 1/2 months of age. We had no idea God wanted us to raise them. We felt led to also foster and now we have four little boys 3 and under. I work full time so I know what your talking about with the energy level. I have none but would not have it any other way except to maybe stay home with them and only God can make that happen. We are praying for finances to come forth so we can adopt all of the little ones we have. God can and does move mountains. God bless your entire family for all you do for the orphans.