danickstr wrote on Sun, 23 March 2008 13:05 |
Thanks Jessica for sharing. I know that it is hard to do, when there are so many different views out there.
You say that God asked you to listen, and I am curious how, in your opinion or belief, he did that? Do you mean in the bible? Or some other way? I am trying to understand how you would define his means of communicating with you. If it is not easy to put into words, I would accept that as well.
Happy Easter
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Wow Nick, that is an amazing question. I've actually had to stop and think very hard for the answer. I've been thinking about it all night (I was awake anyway for unrelated reasons).
If I may be so bold as to broaden your question a little, I think what you are asking is "how do I know what God wants from me". And I'd wager that many Christians are (or should be) asking themselves the same question.
When I was a new believer, my inclination was that surely God would take my strengths and abilities and use them to do his "work", whatever on earth
that was. My strengths were things like being a writer and a speaker, so I assumed I should be like the people who wrote the gospels and the epistles. I tried really hard to "reach" people but never felt "comfortable". It made me feel bossy. And I hate that.
My family was Catholic, but none of them read the bible. I was rather ignorant, and when I started reading I didn't know other people read the bible, too. If they did, why would there still be Catholics? (Sorry, Catholics)
So I thought I was armed with something other people didn't know. Which wasn't true. Because of that, my presumptions about what God wanted from me began to falter. You don't get to pick what God uses you for, and it might not be what you are strongest at. It might be something you're terrible at, but God wants you to do it because he wants to see you grow, and become better than you are.
For me, being quiet and learning at the feet of someone wise and caring was a completely new idea. I thought I knew so much! And I never expected to find anyone who was worth listening to, and who was gentle and interested. Eventually, over time (and with many, many nights of prayer) I realized that there were too many beautiful coincidences to my benefit for it to be chance. God worked through my preconcieved expectations to shut me up, and make me listen to something good for a change! Things I needed to hear, to build me up. Right now, I guess God doesn't need me out there changing people's lives. He's wholly content on changing mine.
This is so valuable to me that I wait and listen with the most anticipation I've ever had for anything. It is hard for me to understand that I am worth such an investment on the part of someone else. What a good thing to learn, eh?
So that's my story, sort of. It is different for everyone. YDIMV (Your Divine Instuction May Vary)? Sometimes you have to work really hard to figure out what God means for you, because he doesn't speak very loudly and if the TV is on every night as you fall asleep you might not hear. But other times he hits you in the face with what he wants from you, like that fish-slapping dance.
I fear I've said too much...... I thought about PMing you, but reasoned others might like to read the answer to your question too.
Jessica
PS. I *love* Inigo Montoya! But the joke is lost on me, I'm afriad. Can a sista get a clue??