Reflections on failure

Back in the 80’s it seemed many books had titles begin with ‘A Theology of…’ For a while now, I have thought someone needs to write a book (or article) with the words ‘A Theology of Failure,’ in it.

Well, I almost titled this blog post ‘Toward a Theology of Failure.’ But, as I began to write ‘reflections’ seem to be a better word to use.

The occasion for this post arise from my current reading of John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Yes, it is based on the gospel account of Peter’s walking toward Jesus on the water during a storm.

As I read chapter 7, ‘That Sinking Feeling,’ Ortberg’s words about failure went deep into my heart and soul and I found myself praying to God about my fear and shame regarding my failures.

So, as I prayed and read; then prayed; then read some more, I began to think about the need to frame a biblical view of failure that neither minimizes nor overstates it.

Ortberg takes us back to King David and his descent into the cave of Adullam where he was to spend about 10 years of his life. “God,” Ortberg goes onto say, “does some of his best work in caves.” He recalls Elijah’s experience after the overwhelming victory on Mt Carmel and, Jesus’ resurrection in the ‘cave’ called a tomb.

As I read, I was struck by Ortberg’s discussion of why we do not learn from our failures and want to sweep them under the rug or bury them deeply within us and not appropriately learn from them. One word – fear and shame. (Okay, two words.)

I also think of perfectionism (something that I have done battle with all my life) and, as does Ortberg, ‘impression management’ when it comes to failure. I do not like to be a failure nor have failure in my life.

But the question that I really have asked over the years is: Is failure, sin?

To me it is. But is it, really?

As I write these words, I recall a very profound personal failure of decades ago that I am realizing I need to learn from but have not because I have been stonewalled by fear and shame (read; denial). Yet as I have read and prayed through Ortberg’s book, I now have a hopeful clarity that learning from this profound failure is one of the ways that God’s grace and mercy can flow freely in my heart and soul in some new ways.

I just wonder, is learning from failure an important spiritual discipline that we need to include in an update list of disciplines? We have confession but do we really do the right kind of confession anymore?

I am not talking about a morbid, soul flailing that causes us to beat ourselves up. (AKA, shaming.)

I am talking about a honest review of what happened with a safe person. Those in the 12-step community, call this, I believe, Steps 4, 5 and even 10.

I am still wrestling with how God can use my failures, and, to me, they seem to be many, to accomplish His good work in and through me. But I am growing less fearful of my failures and more hopeful that they will become pathways to growth instead of walls and barriers to it.

Quote of the Week

I subscribe to a weekly e-mail post from the Merton Institute and this week’s post spoke personally to me as I continue to workout God’s direction for me at this stage and season of life.

Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny…To work out our own identity in God, which the Bible calls “working out our salvation,” is a labor that requires sacrifice and anguish, risk and many tears. It demands close attention to reality at every moment, and great fidelity to God…

Thomas Merton

New Seeds of Contemplation (New York: New Directions Press, 1961): 32.

Review of Quitting Church by Julia Duin

A conversation that I have had with increasing frequency over the past year with ministerial colleagues has been about declining church attendance. It is a subject addressed from many quarters and is given many reasons why it is happens.

Because of my personal experiences in previous churches as an associate, one reason always comes to my mind, ‘they don’t like the pastor.’ Such a belief, I have come to learn, is not necessarily the reason.

So why are people “quitting” church? Why are long time members “quitting” church?

So, as I stood in the Family Christian Bookstore in Anderson, Indiana last week during the North American Convention of the Church of God, I prayed about which two books to buy as part of my travels and participation at that event for I treat it as not just church ‘business’ but as a continuing education event as well.

I had several in mind but one I decided on after reading a few pages was Julia Duin’s Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about it.

It rattled my cage…

Duin, who is the Religion Editor at the Washington Times, told stories about people who for a wide variety of reasons, have ‘quit’ church; not the faith; but the church.

Her stories and her story gave me pause for serious reflection as I thought through the ministry views and values that I have held over the years and that perhaps they need some ‘adjustment.’

Two chapters have given me the most to think about. The first was chapter 5, “The Loneliest Number: Why Singles over Thirty-Five Are Saying Good-bye.” As I read it, I felt conviction about how I have approached those over 18 and single the past several years in a manner that has been harsh and uncaring. Duin honestly and caringly reminds us that those who are single are not the ‘sex crazed’ adults we often have been made to believe they are.

Instead, they honestly and deeply struggle with sexual purity and the desire to be married is one that has been framed by some quoted in her book, as not God’s will. Though I do not tell people that it may not be God’s will that they marry, names and faces came to my mind as well as a desire to make some things right with some that are a part of my congregation today.

The second chapter was chapter 6. “Not So Solid Teaching: Why Christians Cannot Exit the Obstetrics Ward.” In this chapter, Duin shares the honest desire for solid teaching that seems to be non-existent in the minds of some. As I read, I was reminded that I have been in “The Ministry” for so long that I have forgotten the struggles of those who live and work in very different environments and often have to make difficult decisions regarding values and priorities that I have all too easily dismissed as bad decisions. I need to “hear” more often from those in the pews about what is going on in their life.

I wish that I would have heard from some more diverse voices such as those in rural and small town America as most of her subjects reside in the D.C. and other urban areas and were, for the most part, well educated. But the book is valuable in that there are some very human reasons people have left and are leaving the church.

Slowing down and listening I think is a place to start.

The Necessity and Responsibility of Freedom

Scripture Passage – John 8:12

Description – Communion meditation for Sunday, July 5, 2009

In January 1941, when the flames of war were consuming Europe and the Far East, President Roosevelt addressed Congress. In that address, he said some things about freedom that has echoed down through the years.

The address, now known as the “Four Freedoms” address, contained these words:

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want — which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants — everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear — which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor– anywhere in the world.

Roosevelt’s hope for these freedoms would be tested 11 months later when Pearl Harbor Naval Base in the Hawaiian Island would be attacked and our nation would become involved in World War Two.

What makes someone seek freedom at any cost? I can remember hearing stories of people who risked life and death to cross the Berlin Wall. I can recall the images of the boat people back in the 80’s and 90’s who built flimsy life rafts to help them leave the shores of Cuba. But why? Why not stay?

What drives people to flee in the middle of the night from the place where they were born; from their work; from their families?

To me, freedom is a light that attracts those in darkness seeking to be free, and free in different ways.

And the link between freedom and light is a common theme in our national rhetoric. The late Ronald Reagan said, “America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.”

This image of the “shining city upon a hill” is Biblical in origin as Jesus said to the disciples in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

This image was also reflected in a sermon written by Governor John Winthrop aboard the ship, Arbella, in 1630. In this sermon, ‘A Model of Christian Charity,’ Winthrop lays out a vision of how Christian charity (or love) needs to operate in the ‘new world.’

He speaks of the need for justice and mercy to be at work in the affairs and relationships of those who seek to live in a “new” England. And he concludes with the challenge and caution that “we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.” This image has since become a part of many Presidents and presidential contenders’ remarks and vision.

So what does this have to do with freedom and communion?

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (ESV)

What is “the light of life?” Salvation is the “light of life!” In being “the light of the world” we shine out the grace and mercy of God through our personal relationship to Christ as we demonstrate an increasingly godly character and in the actions based on the grace and mercy of God as practical evidence of that godly character.

Communion is a reminder of how this salvation came to be: not based on our works but on the grace and mercy of God. It is also a reminder that Christ’s salvation is our freedom from sin and alienation from God.

We have celebrated this weekend the political freedom that came 133 years ago when a group of men felt it was time for a new nation and a new form of government.

And in the formation of this new government, a new freedom would be offered and, over a decade later, codified into a document we call the Constitution.

With these new freedoms came, however, a new set of responsibilities because Freedom does have important responsibilities:

1. The responsibility to vote
2. The responsibility to be involved
3. The responsibility to care
4. The responsibility to serve
5. The responsibility to respect

Too often our insistence on freedom has led to a self-centered “what’s in it for me” mentality. Yes, freedom has many great benefits. But the freedom that we remember this weekend has many important responsibilities as well.

Jesus Christ set us free from sin. But this freedom from sin is not a freedom to do anything we want once we have confessed our sins and accepted Christ’s salvation. We have a responsibility to live like Jesus Christ because we are part of the body of Christ, the church.

To be free in Christ has its own set of responsibilities as well:

1. The responsibility to love
2. The responsibility to be holy
3. The responsibility to give of our time, talents, and money
4. The responsibility to obey the Lord, no matter where, no matter what.

As we conclude this July 4^th weekend and this worship service, I would have each of us to consider that freedom is both a necessity and a responsibility.

Freedom is necessary for human life to improve. For example, without the freedom we have had what kind of scientific research would be possible that has improved our quality of life over the years? Without the freedom we have had what kind of educational achievements would be possible that has allowed us to make possible new discoveries and find new frontiers of knowledge?

Freedom is also necessary for our inner transformation. For without the freedom from sin through Christ’s saving act on the cross, what kind of life would we be living today? Without the freedom that Christ brings, who of us would be here this morning worshipping the Lord who makes us free indeed?

I am grateful for the political freedoms that we have today. I am more grateful for the spiritual freedom that we have had through Christ.

As we prepare to take communion together, let us do so with thanksgiving. Amen.

Sources:

Roosevelt speech: RESOURCE: World Civilizations
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/ralph/workbook/ralprs36b.htm

Reagan ‘city on a hill’ speech:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=America_is_a_shining_city_upon_a_hill

Winthrop sermon:

http://religiousbroadcasting.lib.virginia.edu/

A Father’s Gifts

Scripture Passage – Matthew 7:11

Description – 2009 Father’s Day Sermon

(Slide 1) As I begin, I have to ask if anyone watched the end of last week’s NASCAR race. I think that there is a life illustration in that spectacular finish!

For those who did not watch the race, it became a race to see who would not run out of gas first. But with around 2 laps to go, the leader ran out of gas (and finished, I believe 22^nd). Then on the last lap the new leader (who had been passed about 4 laps earlier for the lead) ran out of gas! This allowed the new 2^nd place driver, who is about my age, to pass the now fading lead car and take the checkered flag!

(There is the life lesson, “Just because you are over 50 does mean you’ll run out of gas first!”)

I also cannot let this day pass without remembering 9 years ago on this holiday I came and preached my candidating sermon to you. The time has quickly gone by and I pray that we are all closer to God than we were then. I also pray that we love God and others more now than we did then.

This morning I have four people who are going to come and share about their dad and in that sharing they are going to share one lesson they have learned from their dad. A lesson they have passed, and continue to pass, on to their kids. I suggest that we listen for that lesson and consider it one of their gifts.

Jesus had something pointed and poignant to say to His audience and us about a father and his gifts. (Slide 2) We read it Matthew 7:11, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

A bit of context here as we begin.

This chapter is part of Christ’s ‘Sermon on the Mount’ that began back in chapter 5 with what we call the ‘Beatitudes.’ When we come to chapter 7, we encounter two oft-quoted passages back-to-back. The first passage is about the log and the speck and the second passage is about asking, seeking, and knocking. As a bit of perspective, I suggest this morning that we think about these two passages from the perspective of relationships and how we resolve conflict and make progress in our relationships; our relationships with one another, others, and the Lord.

In line with my remarks of two weeks ago, I think that we can observe that character is very much part of Jesus’ statements because He addresses conflict and character in the opening verses; then He moves to persistence and character in the seeking, knocking, and asking; and then makes a connection between character and family relationships. As He does so, He makes a very clear statement about the character of God, “how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

As we prepare to hear Phyllis, Dana, and then Dick and Rex this morning, I would ask us dads to consider the gifts we are giving our children these days and if they are the right kind of gifts. (Slide 3)

(Speakers shared. They spoke of faith, community service, and the value of work. Plus their personal stories were priceless.)

Thanks Phyllis, Dana, Rex, and Dick for sharing!

As we move toward our conclusion this morning, there is one gift that I think we need to give our kids to help them live the right kind of life.

I was recently reminded of the need to give this gift during a conversation with another colleague about the hectic schedules of today’s families and in a book by Bill Butterworth who calls this gift the gift of commitment… to the right things.

In his book, The Short List: In A Life Full of Choices, There Are Only Four That Matter, Butterworth tells of the time when he came home to his family after another weekend speaking engagement when his then youngest son decided to start talking at the Monday evening meal.

‘Hey, Ma!’ were his first words. Then, turning to Bill, he said ‘Hey Bob!’ Butterworth was stunned. Says Butterworth, “His mom and I looked at one another blankly. She broke the silence by saying somewhat facetiously, “You’ve been on the road too much.”

The encounter left him to realize that all of his weekend trips (he was booked at one point to speak 38 out of 52 weekends) plus his 50-hour workweek had created a situation in which his youngest child was becoming a stranger. He made some changes but a divorce eventually (and unfortunately) took place. But it forced him to ask this question, (Slide 4) ‘How Will My Children Remember Me?’

Jim Wallis, in a recent internet column, talked about the calendar being ‘a moral document.’ He is well-known Christian leader and author but he tells the story of taking time to be with his one son after an exciting championship winning Little League game to hit some more balls. Darkness sat in and so they took a walk. As they returned home, he found his youngest waiting up for him, “Dad, could you and me practice pitching tomorrow? I’m getting pretty good!” My morning,” says Wallis, “had just been planned.”

He concludes his remarks with this statement, “I used to say that a budget tells you what and who are most important to a family, a church, a city, state, or nation. And that’s certainly also true about a calendar. Who or what is most important?”

Men, there are two important aspects to this gift of commitment. The first is the gift of commitment to Christ. I simply ask this morning, how is your relationship with God this morning? We are passing on some kind of faith to our kids, is it the right kind of faith?

The second aspect of this gift is the commitment to family. Yes, there is work. Yes, there is church. But there is family.

Let me be clear, I am not completely successful with these two commitments and so I stand here this morning aware that I still have work to do. But men, what and who are we helping our children become committed to?

Sports come and go. School comes and goes. Life comes and goes. And when all is said and done, what kinds of commitments will our children have and keep?

Let us therefore resolve to give the gift of commitment to the right things and the right persons. And let us be thankful for the love and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, who gives us the greatest gift of all – forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sources:

Bill Butterworth The Short List

Jim Wallis, “A Calendar is a Moral Document,” is found at http://blog.sojo.net

Review of The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

Stearns begins his book with a question, “What does God expect of us?” He answers by telling his journey from CEO of Lenox Inc., to CEO of World Vision, by outlining what poverty really means in our world, and why and how the Christian Church needs to be involved with the important task of caring for and empowering the poor that Jesus laid out in the gospel accounts.

A strength of this book is that Stearns does not lay on a ‘guilt-trip’ but simply and effectively shares how to help alleviate poverty in our world and how God called him to assist in this important task. His story is a common story for both a Western and a Western Christian audience.

One personal result of reading this book is that I now have a better understanding of poverty than merely being “the absence of things.” (page 128). The illustration of having his wife going without water for a day and then her decision to take a bucket and go the lake several miles away to get water gave me a clear picture of what millions of people daily face to simply “survive.”

I am sure that not everyone agrees with Stearns’ assessments and approach. But, he offers an approach that is about doing something with what one has and not what one does not have to offer. It is not a sociological or even political analysis of the problem.

Stearns offers a caring, practical, and doable solution to the Christian church (really, all human beings) on how to feed, water, cure, and clothe the “least of these.”

Reflections on being un-employed

The preparation for my involvement today at a community resource fair with another member of my community for those unemployed, brought back the memories and feelings of what it was like to become one of those stats mentioned on a monthly basis in the media.

Though it was 17 years ago at this time, the feelings are still remembered and experienced.

It was a part-time position in property management at the apartment complex where my wife and I lived at the time.  On Friday of Memorial Day weekend my supervisor’s supervisor let us know that the complex had been bought by new owners and new management would be coming. Bankruptcy re-organization of the current management company (for which I worked) was part of the issue.

That following Wednesday it was done.

Though I had several days to prepare for it… I was not prepared for it.

I went in to shock and felt my world crumble. I remember going home and just feeling afraid and much like Daniel in the lion’s den and Joseph in Pharaoh’s prison.

The next day, I went to the unemployment office and filled out the paper work. (Side note,  I had worked there three years and was the senior employee. I had worked for three supervisors in the three years I had been there!)

My wife and I decided that perhaps it was time to move back to Indianapolis (we lived in another state at the time). So I made a trip there to start looking.

That night, one day after being unemployed, she called me at her parent’s home and said, “You are not going to believe this!”

“What?”

“A Church of God congregation in Grand Rapids just called and they are looking for a an “Associate Pastor” and wanted to know if you were interested.”

I had been out of the ministry for 4 years by that point and while I had had some interviews for associate positions, and had turned one down because I did not feel that I was supposed to go there (I was employed at the time), I was now unemployed and looking.

Thus began an 8 week process of three different interviews with the church, followed by an appearance at a worship service, a one hour Q and A with them, and then a vote. (Standard practice in our tradition.)

But, though I felt everything was going to be okay, I still was unemployed and had to get through the next several months.

So I dutifully filled out applications each week and listed them on my unemployment form.  I needed to keep practicing my integrity.

A friend asked me for help with painting an apartment he owned and with building his garage foundation. I needed to work when it was offered because work is mentally and spiritually important.

I took time to help the kids at my church by driving them to day came one day. I need to take time to care for others.

By August,  “the call” was offered and I accepted and in September 1992 a move to Grand Rapids was made, where I spent 8 years before coming here nearly 9 years ago.

I think that Rick Warren is right, “God does not waste a hurt.” And it was a hurtful experience but God brought good out of it!

And now 17 years later, I have the opportunity to tell my story (and have).

Review of The Short List by Bill Butterworth

Butterworth begins his book, The Short List, with a very important question that arose out of this experience with his then youngest child after being gone much of the time speaking to groups and working as a counselor: ‘How Will My Children Remember Me?’ Butterworth, with wonderful wit and humor, then responds to his own question by indicating that from that moment, “I wanted to leave a legacy of lasting significance for my children and everyone who knew me.”

He goes on to list four important values or character traits that he believes are basic and vital to leaving the right kind of a legacy. They are love, honesty, faith, and courage.

Butterworth then illustrates each of these qualities (that he calls his ‘short list’) with a story that I could related to because he finds it expressed in every day life. Then he effectively follows the story up with a Biblical exposition of that trait which is illustrated with real life situations and good question. For example, Butterworth illustrates the importance and place of love with a memorable story about little league baseball and how our daily choices can be expressions of that love.

This is a wonderful book for parents (especially dads) to read and it would great for a small group as it contains a discussion guide that would enable good discussion and perhaps the creation of one’s own short-list.

Thoughts on Discipleship: The ‘glue’ of Ministry and Spiritual Formation and “Let’s hear it for the established church!”

Two recent blog posts, one discovered last month and one written within the past 24 or so hours, are behind today’s thoughts regarding discipleship and congregational life.

Having been in a local church all of my life and spending nearly 22 years in local church ministry as a youth minister, a youth and education minister, and a solo pastor, I have probably helped more people develop their faith than in coming to faith.

It’s not that I do not care about an individual’s spiritual condition. I do. It’s not that I have not helped people with their confession of sin and their profession of faith in God through Christ. I have.

It’s just that my pastoral calling and office, as I look back, seems to have always been focused on the discipleship side and not the evangelistic side. So anytime, someone writes about spiritual formation or discipleship, I am interested.

Last month, I came across a blog (the first of the two aforementioned ones) from the Adult Education Ministry of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Vancouver, Washington. One of their entries dealt with their current visioning process and what it means for discipleship.

http://goodshepherdadulted.blogspot.com/

About halfway down, after writing about another model of ministry, a statement appeared that I resonated with because it is something that I have been thinking, and believing, for a while now.

It’s not about the model- it’s about living into our calling.

I have learned from ministry models. I have learned from traditional models of ministry (I grew up with them!) I have benefited from the purpose-driven model, I have used the Navigators material, Serendipity small group materials, and other kinds of lessons, dvd’s and the like to help others (and myself) develop their faith.

But it is not about the materials or models. It is about living into our calling. It is about consciously and intentionally joining into a local community of faith and walking with those in that community of faith as we live the life of faith.

I know that I am not saying anything new to some of us but this statement has further jelled my thinking about how to help those that I have been called to pastor become effective disciples.

In these nearly 22 years of ministry, I have served 4 churches. The oldest is now around 126 years old and the youngest is 46. The church where I converted is 47 and the only church plant that I was a part of as a kid would have been 41 years old this year had it survived. The average age of the four churches I have served is 77 years of age!

Furthermore, the current church I served has been in the same location since its beginning in 1943! Part of the building (basement kitchen from original house basement is probably from the 1920’s; the rest of the basement was constructed in the early 50’s and the sanctuary was built in 1963.)

I will admit that I have wondered over the years why I was in the ministry at all! All three of the churches that I served as an associate minister had a pastoral change within a year or two of my arrival! And the church that I currently serve as the solo pastor nearly closed 10 years ago!

The second blog, written just recently by Thom Rainer author of several good books on ministry, is about this aspect of my ministry – the established church… and I needed to read it because it was an affirmation of the work that I have done in established churches.

You can read it here

http://www.thomrainer.com/2009/06/crisis-at-county-seat-first-church.php

Toward the end of his blog he says this:

I am not ready to give up on established churches. If church leaders across America decide in large numbers to give up on established churches, we simply will not replace them fast enough with new churches. The most optimistic church planting projections fall well short of replacing more than one-half of the churches in America.

Another problem with giving up is that many of the established churches do have great potential with the right kind of leadership. While many will resist change to the point of death, many are ready to move forward.

Finally, the new churches will soon be established churches. Most churches begin to demonstrate resistance to needed change within ten years of their founding.  We will always have the challenge of County Seat First Church, regardless of location, denominational affiliation, or demographics.

We need leaders who will have a long-term perspective, who realize that, while change may be slow, it is possible. We need leaders who will love the existing congregants and lead them at a pace that will not divide the church. We need leaders who will love and live among the church members. We need leaders who will live and love in the community.

Thanks, Thom… I am one of ‘those’ pastors. It is hard and it is long at times, but I know that this is where I am to be at this point in my life.

Let’s hear it for the ‘established churches’ of all shapes, colors, and sizes! They still are part of God’s kingdom!

A Reflection on ‘Stirrings,’ mid-life transitions, and faith

In his book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, Ken Robinson, writes, “We’ve all heard that fifty is the new thirty and seventy is the new forty.” (Then with his wonderful English wit goes on to parenthetically to say, “if this algorithm extends in both directions, it would explain the adolescent behavior of some thirty-somethings I know.”) I have been hearing this for sometime but not in these particular words.

As I write these words, I am recalling a conversation with a mid-40’s ministerial colleague this week who intimated of a potential change down the road from pastoring to teaching. He used the word “stirrings” to describe the inner experience he was beginning to have at this point in his life. He also mentioned something about mid-life transition in the dialogue as well.

I think this particular reflection is an indication of both a “stirring” and perhaps a transition. I don’t know…

I have been a student of developmental psychology for a long time. Part of my seminary education involved reading Daniel Levinson’s Season’s of A Man’s Life as well as Gail Sheehy’s Passages. Erik Erickson’s stages have been very helpful to me, as I have processed my life, in both directions, over the past 25 years.

What I am wrestling with as I read Robinson’s book, is a theological issue regarding calling and God’s will as it relates to passion, one’s “element,” to use Robinson’s phrase. If I wanting to “follow” Jesus through out my life, does it include or negate my passion to write, paint, play or whatever? Is “passion” (something that is talked about in many articles and spoken in many talks about ministry these days) a Biblical thing? Is it part of God’s will for me? Is God’s will part of my ‘element?’

I have many passions, some come to me in my DNA and some have become an acquired passion (like driving the German autobahn someday at 100 MPH!) Passion is a volatile thing to me; it is a “hot to the touch” power not easily tamed. Passion also seems very egocentric.

“I have a passion for teaching and preaching the gospel.”

“My passion is to lead God’s people in authentic worship.”

“You are?”

“Uh, me? “OH! I am Jim Kane.”

“Nice to have you here Jim. What is your passion?”

“My passion? Uh, uh, it is to follow God where He leads me, I suppose,”

Hmm…

But, as I think about “stirrings” I recall the one of 28 years ago to serve God and the church for a season as a youth director before going on to something else. (But that season has turned out to be nearly 22 of those 28 years!)

Then there is the word, “calling” that confronts me. “Is God calling you?” (Perhaps the declarative, “God IS calling you!” is a better thing to write. I seemed to have heard it more often.) I confess that my current pre-occupation with calling is more with “Who is God calling me to be?” than “What is God calling me to do?”

This brings me back to Robinson’s quote and premise about finding and living in your “element.” Is this a humanistic view that I must reject or is part of living my faith through embracing my humanity; my self that God has created me to be?

My passion is to follow and obey God and that may mean that I stay where I am at until 65 and then do other things. Or, it may be that my life road will change in God’s “good” time.

Maybe there is a stirring going on here…may not.

Until then…