Do you ever begin to think that everything you've perceived as growth in your life is just a different way of looking at it? Like, instead of moving closer to God, that you're just kind of orbiting around him, always changing position, but never moving closer?
How can I serve students best at a camp where I disagree with some of their processes? Should I disagree with them? What if they're right and I'm the immature, cynical, far-from-God one?
Maybe this all goes back to the good ol' heart vs. head problem. Should decisions be made based on feelings at the moment (i.e. a sudden, deep passion for missions or youth ministry) or should they be based on a sensible analysis of the situation (i.e. "Oh, look! I've always enjoyed working with children, maybe I should consider children's ministry" or a decision to pursue missions because of a special connection with a specific culture)? Ideally, they should be made with both, but what if that's not possible?
Can I dissuade students from committing to ministry as 16 year olds? Is that right?
I don't want to see any students making the same mistakes I did. I spent a year and a half of my life pursuing something I convinced myself I should dedicate my life to. I want them to find out what God wants them to do, not what Christians think they should do or what their church or youth pastor or family or their perception of any of these.
Please pray for humility in my heart and wisdom in my actions...
4 comments:
Did you learn anything on that year and a half?
If you are really trying to follow Gods will in your life, then chances are he could switch your direction a few times to get some helpful knowledge and skill along the way.
Some missionaries pastors etc. know thats what they should be by the age of 10, some think they should be and end up doing something else. And even some others are missionaires and dont even realize it because they are just living their life the best way that they can.
-Becky
I agree somewhat with Becky, God takes where ever you and teaches you something, if your game. And you can get multiple calls in your life as well. There are plenty of stories about people who were working at a bank or whatever then went into ministry and vice versa. As for the head vs. heart fiasco that has been developed over the years, I don't believe either side is particularly right. Feelings can too easily be moved, and facts can be skewed, you need both, and perhaps if they don't agree you shouldn't make that decision quite yet.
I'm sure you could dissuade a student from committing to ministry, whether or not you should, that is a tough one that I can't really answer; and even if I could I probably wouldn't.
As for the year and a half pursuing something that you thought was right? Well the average college student changes their major 2 or 3 times, so as much as you don't want to see it a lot of people will make the same "mistake" as you put it. And look at what has come from your "mistake" the people you've affected and helped, and what not. Seriously now Kemp, there is no need to be penitent about this. But regardless I will pray.
i dread writing these comments becuase not only am i guilty of the same thing, but i don't enjoy copy and pasting an "i" everytime i need one. perhaps i should look at the other comments first. nope, gotta get to bed.
first, making decisions with only your heart or only your head can lead to very bad things.
i tend to think about growth AS 'orbiting around God'. gaining a different perspective, seeing things differently is growth jsut becuase we're 'far away' measurement wise, doesn't mean we haven't grown in looking at a different side.
Kemp, the 'mistakes' you made have created the person you are today. you wouldn't be you without them (and you maybe wouldn't have even been better without them). Everybody needs to make mistakes, especially mistakes on their own, if they're going to learn anything. you can share your story, sure... but if a 16 year old says he (or she) says they feel called to the ministry, good for them. that's what they want do and there is nothing wrong with that. if that isn't what ends up happening, then so be it. they've seen something and been somewhere different from where they had been before.
i will pray. have a good time, enjoy, laugh, and be ridiculous. catch up with you later.
listen to that girl above me. she's a smart one.
the only thing I'm gonna add is that you've got two choices: believe, or doubt. If god has a plan for you, then why do you think of your year and a half as wasted time? It was part of the plan, wasn't it? you’re better off right now (and more prepared for any kind of “ministry”) than a lot of ministry graduates – you’re on your way out of the “ministry-is-the-only-real-Christian-occupation” trap, and if you’re still interested in youth ministry it’s because you love it, not because you “ought to do it.” the coolest youth pastor I ever had was an english major – so don't write yourself off prematurely.
tell those 16 year olds to go read the horse and his boy. If C.S.L. can't snap them out of it, then...yeah. teach them some dance moves and tell them about the contentment see-saw. you know (because of your “mistakes”) what forced commitment looks and feels like. If you see that in others, and you feel called to free them, then go for it.
you could also read a certain book called orbiting the giant hairball. alas (sadly), it does not liken god to a giant hairball…but it does argue that orbit is not always a bad place to be.
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