So I had quite the Jesus moment tonight that came to be from one of the most random of instances. I was attending the production of Annie Jr, because a member of the youth group was in it. Of course I was excited, being a theater junkie myself. But while watching I could not help but be a critic in my mind. "Oh that kid really missed that que" or, "I CANNOT HEAR YOU PLEASE SPEAK UP!".
This play really brought me back to high school myself, and all my involvement and love for theater. I was reminded tonight that although the athletic gene skipped over me, I am quite the artistic person. Not at drawing by any means, but by the fine arts. Music, drama, etc... they are the things that I really enjoy. I have often said that if I was not called into the seminary I would be in theater somewhere.
Upon reflecting on my golden days, I felt bad for being a critic. Down there on the floor I am sure there were kids whos passion was acting. Much like me, they enjoyed the crowd, the fun, and the thrill of being there acting out another persons life. How could I possibly be disappointed with the performance when the kids where doing what they love?
One of my favorite T.V. shows is Legend of the Seeker. In this show, Richard, is prophesied to be the True Seeker, the ultimate hero of light, who will banish the dark, and restore peace to the Midlands. In episode one, a woman seeks him out, for it is his time to begin his duty as the seeker. But upon meeting Richard, she discovers that He was never told by his mentor that he was the Seeker, never trained to fight, no idea of his destiny. Upon confronting his mentor, Zedd, he simply tells her that he wanted Richard to, "Find out what made his heart beat."
What makes your heart beat? What are you passionate about? We all have gifts, and how can we use them to further the Kingdom of God? Ultimately, should not our focus be on God? I could not criticize the production tonight, after realized that the kids down there shared the same passion for theater as I did, and if they are happy with it, good for them! I want to be happy for them, I know, whether the performance is a flop or not, that it takes a lot of hard work to pull any type of production off.
What if we took this same passion we have for these things, sports, music, etc... and had the same passion for God? What if we all could not help but talk about him, because like the sports nut, or the theater junkie, it CONSUMES our lives?
I want to leave tonight with a question all this made me ask myself. We all have things that make our heart beat. But what if we made it beat for God? After all, Jesus' heart STOPPED beating for us.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
An adequate opening.
Ok, so I suppose I am going to give this blogging a try, it seems fun yet simple enough. I named my blog On My Sleeve from the age old phrase, "wearing my heart on my sleeve." Actually, for those who do not know the origins of this phrase, it actually stems from the Middle Ages when people would draw names to see who their valentine was. They would pin the name on their sleeve, thus where the phrase originated. What it means today is being open about your emotions and feelings toward another person rather than keeping them hidden away.
I chose this title because I feel like we should try and everyday wear our heart's on our sleeves for God, and let him know what we are feeling, and being open and honest to him. So this blog will mainly be about what I feel like God has been trying to teach me, and what paths he seems to be directing me down. I love those moments in time where something just clicks in your head, a revelation, so to speak. But I like to call them Jesus Moments.
I have recently found my self the new youth minister at Mt. Washington First Christian Church. Three weeks into the position and I am loving it. I am blessed to have the opportunity to instruct these amazing kids in the ways of the Lord, and to hopefully bring them to a closer relationship with them. If there is one thing that I ever learned from my own father being a minister, is that there is no such thing as a part time ministry, just part time pay (lol). Ministry is... all about the connection. Between you and others, between others and God, and between you and God.
It is odd, the influence a title can bequeath you. The simple term minister automatically changes everything. It is like because you have the title, who you are and your standing in the church is just instantly elevated. For some, the title makes them more open to you, even friendlier, for others, it could turn them bitter and they will turn away from you. The funny thing is that three weeks ago I was just a pew warmer (for lack of a better term), and not much has changed in those few weeks to make me any different.
I am simply thankful for my God, who has given me this opportunity to serve him. Everyday I try to remind myself that we were created for a relationship with him, and that in our own selfishness, we rebel against him. It is because of us that his son, Jesus, died for us. Our savior's blood, on my hands. But does God hold that against us? No! He still loves us, after all that we have put him through, he is still knocking at our doors.
Remember, no matter how far you have fallen, or how many mistakes you have made, God will never stop loving you, and never stop wanting a relationship with you. Never think that you are so worthless that God cannot use you.
I chose this title because I feel like we should try and everyday wear our heart's on our sleeves for God, and let him know what we are feeling, and being open and honest to him. So this blog will mainly be about what I feel like God has been trying to teach me, and what paths he seems to be directing me down. I love those moments in time where something just clicks in your head, a revelation, so to speak. But I like to call them Jesus Moments.
I have recently found my self the new youth minister at Mt. Washington First Christian Church. Three weeks into the position and I am loving it. I am blessed to have the opportunity to instruct these amazing kids in the ways of the Lord, and to hopefully bring them to a closer relationship with them. If there is one thing that I ever learned from my own father being a minister, is that there is no such thing as a part time ministry, just part time pay (lol). Ministry is... all about the connection. Between you and others, between others and God, and between you and God.
It is odd, the influence a title can bequeath you. The simple term minister automatically changes everything. It is like because you have the title, who you are and your standing in the church is just instantly elevated. For some, the title makes them more open to you, even friendlier, for others, it could turn them bitter and they will turn away from you. The funny thing is that three weeks ago I was just a pew warmer (for lack of a better term), and not much has changed in those few weeks to make me any different.
I am simply thankful for my God, who has given me this opportunity to serve him. Everyday I try to remind myself that we were created for a relationship with him, and that in our own selfishness, we rebel against him. It is because of us that his son, Jesus, died for us. Our savior's blood, on my hands. But does God hold that against us? No! He still loves us, after all that we have put him through, he is still knocking at our doors.
Remember, no matter how far you have fallen, or how many mistakes you have made, God will never stop loving you, and never stop wanting a relationship with you. Never think that you are so worthless that God cannot use you.
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