Friday, February 4, 2011

What Will I Be When I Grow Up?

Last night, I met my pastor at Starbucks. We spent just over an hour talking about what it means to be called to the ministry. See, in the past few months, I've felt a strong calling to ministry. I envision myself right now as becoming a pastor, but God hasn't given me a clear, without-a-doubt dream. I'm very comfortable on stage and I thoroughly enjoy public speaking. I'm a very skilled writer, as surely you see on this blog. I absolutely love to read my Bible. I'm so passionate about the church. I have a huge heart for the persecuted church. I desperately want to work with a group of strong Christians all fighting for the same purpose. I spend hours each day listening to Christian music, from rock to pop to praise to rap to screamo. I love football and basketball, and really enjoy watching sports on TV. These are the obvious attributes about me right now. But I don't know what how that translates for the rest of my life. How can I know what I'll be when I "grow up" when I have so many areas of interest and skill! I could become a ESPN the Magazine writer, pastor, beat writer for a newspaper, missionary, youth pastor, music reviewer, ESPN blogger, anything! But how do I know which choice is right for me?

Charles Spurgeon, the late great preacher, said, "Do not enter the ministry if you can help it... But, if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is the man." I think that's how it works for all godly callings. If God wants me to preach, then I must preach or I'll die! If God wants me to become a missionary, then I must travel abroad and deliver the Good News or I'll die. If God wants me to become the sports or religion or music writer for a newspaper, then I have to write or I'll die. If I have that intense, all-absorbing desire to do a specific work, then that's what God wants me to do. So many people waste their talents and dreams because they chose a different career. I know of people who chose a different career because of money, and it ruined them. They became unhappy because they weren't doing what they were born to do.

I don't want to miss my dream. But I can't focus on finding my dream. If I worry or stress about it, I could actually miss it. If I just follow God step-by-step and trust in His guidance, I'm sure He will lead and direct me to the career I was born to have.

4 comments:

Sophie said...

Way to Go, Logan! "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass!" (from Psalm 37)

Ashley said...

Oh my goodness. I'm crying. Lol. You have no clue how bad I needed to hear that. I feel so incredibly overwhelmed with "what next step to take" and I shouldn't (It's going to college, staying back a year cause I'm young, missions...). And to make matters worse, someone just told me that the best idea is to go to the mission field for a year. I don't know what to do!! You seem like you have things together in your brain, though! Follow the Lord wherever you go. His will is your sanctification.

Jennifer said...

Good thoughts. You know, I've been thinking about this a lot to. One thing some don't realize or think about is that, even with a non-mission related career or job, you can still do mission related things. Think of the great need of not only teachers and preachers in other countries, but also Christian builders, doctors, and anything else! God can use you, no matter your job title.

Anonymous said...

Good thoughts. I've recently felt a strong calling towards ministry, as well - specifically Worship Ministry. Planning the rest of your life (especially getting into college) can be very difficult with all the decisions you have to make. I'm also a junior in high school.