what's it look like?
In my last post I discussed my desire to be a person who tenaciously pursued a calling. Then, in a comment a friend asked what I thought the life that I described looked like. This question has caused me a lot of difficulty. At first I thought I might offer all my wise thoughts about the subject. Then I realized how ridiculous that idea was, because the truth is that I don’t really know from any personal experience. I’m a long way from living the life of adventure I described. There are however some wonderful, contemporary examples of such a life.
Roland and Heidi Baker come to mind. You can read about their single minded desire to follow God in the book, “Always Enough”, and follow their ministry (Iris Ministries) at http://www.irismin.org/ Their website will also introduce you to some amazing people who have joined them and are doing wonderful work with orphans, education and church planting..
“Chasing the Dragon” is a book which tells about the amazing ministry of Jackie Pullinger, in the darkest, filthiest slums of Hong Kong. Her life and work there, powered by the Holy Spirit is simply incredible.
I still remember Gary Skinner, who spoke at Missions Fest in 2004. He told of his life growing up and ministering in Liberia, where on one occasion he confronted the murdering, corrupt warlord President Charles Taylor, telling him he must repent, or God would remove him. Months later, Taylor was gone and today he is on trial at the Hague for crimes committed against the people he ruled. Meanwhile, Skinner and his work carry on. He leads the Kampala Pentecostal Church in Uganda, whose Watoto orphanages and children’s choir are known worldwide.
As for me, I think I’ve learned two things in the last couple of years, which might be helpful to those wanting to pursue the sold-out life.
The first thing I believe, is that you must decide that you are going to give up something; perhaps your job, your security, your comfort, your family, your position. I still struggle with this and so God patiently chips away at me. These things compete ferociously for your time and attention, but you must make yourself available to be used. This freedom, I think, is at odds with secular and church culture which expects you simply to conform. I hope I am not being unfair, but look around. How many do you know who are living the life you want? Why is that? I believe it is because there are few people who are willing to abandon the comfortable and secure life they have. Nor are they seriously challenged to do so.
There’s another step I think is necessary. Let me tell you in a story.
About 6 months ago I was sitting talking with some friends who are pursuing a life of adventure with God. We had talked about their ministry and how they were dealing with a recent disappointment. Around that time I began to moan about my life and how I wasn’t living the big life I claimed I wanted to live. A mission/teaching experience in Kenya had been great, but ended disappointingly. Our trip to Slovakia in 2006 had been fun, but it didn’t seem to offer a future that excited us. I wasn’t happy at home in CR. No one understood. Poor me! At that time, (I think out of exasperation), one of the friends asked me, what might have been the best question possible. In retrospect I think it’s the question we must address to begin a life worth living. Churches don’t ask their people this question. Most people you know won’t ask you this question.
“Howard”, she said. “Excuse me if this is too blunt. But just what is it exactly that you want to do?”
Well, that was pretty blunt. But in retrospect I think the question must be asked, and what’s more, it must be answered. In fact it WILL BE ANSWERED, either by a life that breaks out of the ordinary, or by a life that never moves beyond where it is right now. You see, it’s easy to claim we want to live a God given adventure, but its very hard to move beyond that claim. Your answer to this question will give you a vision of a future. That vision will either be a life of adventure, or a life continuing just as it is now.
And so I answered her.
Roland and Heidi Baker come to mind. You can read about their single minded desire to follow God in the book, “Always Enough”, and follow their ministry (Iris Ministries) at http://www.irismin.org/ Their website will also introduce you to some amazing people who have joined them and are doing wonderful work with orphans, education and church planting..
“Chasing the Dragon” is a book which tells about the amazing ministry of Jackie Pullinger, in the darkest, filthiest slums of Hong Kong. Her life and work there, powered by the Holy Spirit is simply incredible.
I still remember Gary Skinner, who spoke at Missions Fest in 2004. He told of his life growing up and ministering in Liberia, where on one occasion he confronted the murdering, corrupt warlord President Charles Taylor, telling him he must repent, or God would remove him. Months later, Taylor was gone and today he is on trial at the Hague for crimes committed against the people he ruled. Meanwhile, Skinner and his work carry on. He leads the Kampala Pentecostal Church in Uganda, whose Watoto orphanages and children’s choir are known worldwide.
As for me, I think I’ve learned two things in the last couple of years, which might be helpful to those wanting to pursue the sold-out life.
The first thing I believe, is that you must decide that you are going to give up something; perhaps your job, your security, your comfort, your family, your position. I still struggle with this and so God patiently chips away at me. These things compete ferociously for your time and attention, but you must make yourself available to be used. This freedom, I think, is at odds with secular and church culture which expects you simply to conform. I hope I am not being unfair, but look around. How many do you know who are living the life you want? Why is that? I believe it is because there are few people who are willing to abandon the comfortable and secure life they have. Nor are they seriously challenged to do so.
There’s another step I think is necessary. Let me tell you in a story.
About 6 months ago I was sitting talking with some friends who are pursuing a life of adventure with God. We had talked about their ministry and how they were dealing with a recent disappointment. Around that time I began to moan about my life and how I wasn’t living the big life I claimed I wanted to live. A mission/teaching experience in Kenya had been great, but ended disappointingly. Our trip to Slovakia in 2006 had been fun, but it didn’t seem to offer a future that excited us. I wasn’t happy at home in CR. No one understood. Poor me! At that time, (I think out of exasperation), one of the friends asked me, what might have been the best question possible. In retrospect I think it’s the question we must address to begin a life worth living. Churches don’t ask their people this question. Most people you know won’t ask you this question.
“Howard”, she said. “Excuse me if this is too blunt. But just what is it exactly that you want to do?”
Well, that was pretty blunt. But in retrospect I think the question must be asked, and what’s more, it must be answered. In fact it WILL BE ANSWERED, either by a life that breaks out of the ordinary, or by a life that never moves beyond where it is right now. You see, it’s easy to claim we want to live a God given adventure, but its very hard to move beyond that claim. Your answer to this question will give you a vision of a future. That vision will either be a life of adventure, or a life continuing just as it is now.
And so I answered her.
posted by Howard and Judy @ 10:00 AM
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