Purpose Driven Life 1
Chapter 1 brings us something so amazingly fundamental but very easy to miss. It is reminiscent of the "still small voice" Elijah heard (1Ki 19). We live in a world filled with noise and busyness. It is so filled that the simple pure truth is not so much lost but overwhelmed by so much noise. Searching for purpose is what every human does. It is an urge that is nearly irrepressible. But if we seek it by responding to the loudest call, by moving toward the most attractive thing in our view or the most reasonable course we have no hope of finding it. It is the still small voice we should seek and let it be our guide.
Opening to God's call and knowing his calling are two different things. If it is possible to know where God wants us to be next year I certainly have not achieved that. I think that I can tell what God wants me to do next, right now with what I have at hand. That is the best I have been able to do. Beyond that I trust that the end of the story will be in keeping with his plan.
Opening to God's call and knowing his calling are two different things. If it is possible to know where God wants us to be next year I certainly have not achieved that. I think that I can tell what God wants me to do next, right now with what I have at hand. That is the best I have been able to do. Beyond that I trust that the end of the story will be in keeping with his plan.
posted by Mark at 21:06
1 Comments:
Thanks for your comments, Mark.
How wonderful that you have created your own blog.
I would consisider your comments "serious contributions" and I appreciate your sharing. It is great to have you as a companion on the journey.
I want to be clear that my reason for engaging in this book is not that I agree with it, but that it can and does serve as a good focus of conversation about things spiritual for many today.
Missing from, or perhaps hidden within, the "to conform to the likeness of Jesus" life purpose is the realization that each of us is uniquely gifted. I would say that we are not called to do as Jesus did, but to discern what Jesus would have us do with the gifts we have been given and in our time and place. There is more respect for our individuality than is expressed by that single phrase.
In addition, the notion of Christian vocation can come into play here. The vocation of father, stock brocker, menchanic, pastor, child, barber, etc are all equally significant in God's eye. They are all ministry. I think the struggle is to discern what God is calling us to do, not in wrestling with what is ministry and what is not. God can and does use all of our efforts to advance the reign of God. It tends to be more satisfying when we know we are doing those things for which God has created us, and not simply those things that satisfy our own needs.
In addition, both "hands on" and "hands off" minstry are appropraite at differnt times.
Good to hear from you. See you Sunday.
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Posted by paullutz to PoP Journey of Discipleship at 9/25/2004 03:49:37 PM
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