To quote Eric Liddell, from the movie Chariots of Fire expresses this beautifully: “I believe that God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure.”
I realize he was quoting Liddell from the movie, but being reminded of the quote stirred something in me.
So let’s have a conversation today. Fill in the blank:
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me __________. When I ______________, I feel His pleasure.” Feel free to expound on your answers. This is not about tooting your own horn, so don’t feel self-conscience. This is about acknowledging and honoring a God-given ability.
My friends Jared and Ashley Waldrop are moving from their place of ministry the past 4 years to a new place of ministry. They will do very well there, no doubt in my mind.
For lack of a better term, I grew up with Ashley. Our parents were friends before we were born, so we spent lots of time together in sporadic increments in our early years. Life and ministry took our families apart and we saw less of each other in our teenage years.
Jared, I don’t know as well. I met him while we were in college. I have always liked him. We see each other far fewer times a year than I would like. But I watch their life and ministry from afar with great admiration.
As he leaves his current church he created a list of the things they’ve heard him say during his time there in messages, at lunch, etc. It’s a great list, worth your time. Here’s a snippet:
1. Love God. Love People. Let everything else flow out of that.
3. What you do today is forecasting your tomorrow. Your choices matter.
9. You’ll never feel more alive or more like Jesus that when you’re helping others.
10. Spirit vs. flesh – what you feed will win. Feed your spirit.
20. Pray. And stay around people that do.
21. Guard your influences. Guard your eyes and ears. Keep the Godly close.
24. Sowing wild oats isn’t worth it. Ever. You reap what you sow.
25. Go. Mission trips, conferences, retreats… get away, let God speak to you.
26. Be a catalyst for Godly change without becoming cynical. Keep a firm resolve while staying tenderhearted.
“We aren’t just raising sons, but we are raising men, fathers and husbands. It’s very important to us that they can live their dreams, but the first priority is that they are good people.”
- Kevin Jonas, Sr. (the Jonas Brother’s dad)
This is my personal blog. Most of what is written is my opinion, observation, original thought, or things I find interesting somewhere else. While I am employed by Mt. Paran North, the things expressed here are not endorsed or necessarily accepted by Mt. Paran North or it's leadership. So don't go sue the church because you don't agree with something I write. Just post a comment and tell me I'm an idiot. It'll just be better for all of us.
