Alive! Energy for a Fulfilled Life
Pastor Dean shared with us today a story of Karen Watson. She was one of four humanitarian aid workers who died in Iraq after their vehicle was ambushed March 15, 2004. She wrote a letter to her pastors in the event she was killed, in that she explained her thoughts on the “Missionary Heart”: “Care more than some think is wise. Risk more than some think is safe. Dream more than some think is practical. Expect more than some think is possible.”
Do you have a fufilled life? What does that even mean? Have you ever thought of the power you have because you are a Christian? Do you put that power to good use? Do you go your own way without consulting “the Designer” like the worker who built the Basilica? Have you ever really considered all the conflicts you could avoid if you realized who really is in control? Have you ever had a unique chance to share Jesus in a special way with someone?
Any other thoughts on the sermon?
Have a great week! Tina
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That's not really that difficult. We can all "be" Christians. Not through some checklist and or "wondertwin" power but because Jesus came, died so that I could have life not just here but eternally with Him.
Someone teased me the other day that I responded to their question with a "power of positive thinking" answer instead of the one they thought I'd say. We all have the power to say or do or think or be, thanks to God. But I have to admit it's only been recently and even then not regularly that He is the focus.
When I think of power I think of many of the posts Kim and several others have shared about bold unwavering assuredness that shows the world "I am Christian". At times bold loud voices, other times genuine relational quiet conversation. Whether that's unpopular or impractical, it is a matter of setting expectations for ourselves beyond some sort of bland comfort zone.
I'm hoping it's going to take a lifetime to figure out fufilling the enormity of God's hope for my life, because what fun would that be if "poof" I just figured it all out? How can you even know what you are capable of if you don't take the lens of your life and focus it on God and not as some sort of "experiment" but as long
I remember the first person who spoke to me inside the walls of WLC but more so I remember several people (virtual strangers) who have made an eternal difference in my life just on my life's journey.
Friday was a tough day at work for me. Deadlines, meetings, tiffs about a never-ending littany of stupid stuff. In the midst of it I tried to help one of my co-workers with a project. She was looking for song lyrics and so without really looking at it, I googled it, cut and pasted the e-mail and sent it off without looking at it all that closely. I've just been terribly upset about it all weekend because I took a look at the lyrics and past the second verse the lyrics were something no-one should hear, sing, read and yet I propagated sending it to another person (and probably breaking a zillion internal e-mail laws at our company.) I immediately sent her a note apologizing to her but the damage was done. My careless inattention may cost me my job and while I'd understand that, I think I'm more upset that in a blink of an eye instead of being a beacon of light I helped spread some evil.
That said, I think I'm comforted by the idea that at some point I need to just stop worrying and give it to God, move on to more important things...don't know what they are yet, but I'm sure He'll point me the direction I should go. (Comment this)
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