Exploring talents and ministries

Reading #32 last night implored us to find our talents, skills, and calling. Rick Warren said the way to do this is not to evaluate yourself, but to try different activities and ministries. He pointed out that many people let their established life dictate their ministries, rather than explore new avenues.

Myself, I've repeatedly found myself looking for something new to do. That's how I got into my recent MBA program, and started learning the harmonica. My ministries to God and my church have waned in the last few years, mostly limited to the established CE teacher role.

Now I've put myself upfront on a new ministry for our church, by starting a web team. I'm using an existing skill, but applying toward a ministry. First challenge is political, convincing people that it is a significant, but separate entity, worthy of dedicated effort. So, in order to apply my skill, I need to work on my political skill, which isn't so sharp.

In the belly of the whale?

I was at first humored, then perplexed. One of my fictional heros, Dale Cooper, said "when two events happen simutaneously, pertaining to the same object of inquiry, we must always pay STRICT attention!" Well, the reading Monday night in the PDL book referred to Jonah and his poor attitude. Then, reading in "Peace like a River" the two primary characters (age 9 and 11) discuss Jonah's attitude after he had visited Ninevah.

So, do these two events, happening in order just like an episode of Twin Peaks, point to something? A message from God? I've already ascribed one of my new missions to this event.

I have volunteered to lead our church toward developing a worthwhile website. No one was asking for volunteers, but the original leader-to-be is following one of his purposes, and I hate to see such a worthwhile project ignored any longer. Running a website is on of my talents/skills, and according to last night's reading, I have to apply my talents to more than my job. A "ministry fair" is being held next Sunday (as a response to the 40 days program), which is a ripe opportunity to kick off such a project.

The Johah analogy is that I will be going to the people, trying to get them to understand a message that they don't understand and don't see the benefit of following. Perhaps God was warning me to be prepared for dissappointment, just like Johah. Or to warn me, so I can do a better job than he did. And like Jonah, I'd rather run off to Massachusetts to pursue a new career that isn't exactly my calling.

Sunday #5--Discipleship - A work-out

I have my notes and study guide in front of me, so this review should be more factual than usual, but the TV is on (Trading Spaces), so it may also be less focused. But, I am dutifully at it, hitting reading #30 tonight!

Paul's sermon was based on 2nd Peter, 1:3-5, telling how to develop our spriritual life. A cute saying he shared was "his muscle matches his mouth," which help explains the combination of power and resolve/promise. Or by accepting the goals set by God, and applying yourself, you can achieve the goal and simulataneously develop your spritualilty. And because we are working God's plan, we should be more secure and productive.

The video with Rick cut to the chase (but with less emphasis), saying that God gives you the tools, but it is up to you to use them. As he described more about how to be like Jesus, I thought about lessons I've had on paradigm shifts, and a harmonica teacher's admonition of "10 weeks to learn, 10 years to master".

Our group seemed to universally struggle with learning Bible verses. I want to say that doesn't suit the way I think, but I really should give it a try, to see if I find the verses fitting my life.

Perhaps, to tie it all together, we can say discipleship is like Trading Spaces. Yea...We trust someone with our room/life, while we work on goals set out for us. Then, when we are done, we are finally welcomed to something more beautiful than we could have planned our selves.