What might you have to drop to pick up your purpose?
What might you have to drop to pick up your purpose?
To live out God’s purpose for your life, there are often things we need to be willing to drop.
This is only a theory, but one based on the story of my life.
When I finally said “yes” to the calling God had on my life, I had realized how choosing anything else would be meaningless. It was still my choice, but I knew I would regret it every day of my life if I didn’t step into it.
I know this might seem strange: becoming a pastor in a local church felt like being taken off the front lines.
I thought about how much less time I would spend with people who didn’t know Jesus. I thought about how I believe that all of us are called to be on mission in our daily lives, not just those in vocational ministry. But I kept hearing this whisper from God:
“Yes! And I want you to show other people what that looks like.”
There was a paradox to accepting God’s invitation:
On one hand, I was overwhelmed with feeling like Jesus himself had come up to my fishing boat and asked me to drop everything and follow him.
On the other hand, the “drop everything” part took more courage than I was ready for.
I had to drop my pre-conceived notion that women weren’t church planters, lead pastors or preachers just because I had never experienced a woman leading in that way.
I had to drop a neutral stance on what women could be called to do and study scripture intently so that I would know if this calling could be from God.
I had to drop the idea that dating would be easy as I sailed through my twenties. (I thought about what number date it was appropriate to mention my calling and hope that the phrase “pastor’s husband” doesn’t come up and potentially cancel the next date.)
I had to drop the thought that true mission was outside of the US and realize my own city was now at under 10% claiming to know the freedom found in Jesus.
I had to drop the idea that I was going to spend most of my time with those who weren’t Christians and step into lots of time together with Christians engaging with and loving our neighbors who don’t know Jesus.
I had to drop the idea that leading a church was “boring and uneventful” and realize that starting a church on mission would be the greatest adventure I could ever imagine.
On a hot day last summer, I came down from from the stage after preaching God’s love & hope to the people in my congregation and milled through the 200 or so people who had gathered in a public school to worship for five years now:
- I connected a woman with resources to get groceries for her family’s empty pantry.
- I prayed with a man who was exhausted over a never ending job search to provide for his family.
- I hugged and cried with a woman who was hoping to get custody of her grandkids after they had been taken by the state because her home wasn’t safe.
- I celebrated with a family who just had a new born baby girl.
- I spoke affirmation to a group of activists on mission, trying to shut down a local brothel.
- I was nearly tackled by more 2 to 5 year olds then I can count as they swarmed around me to show me their craft from their Bible lesson.
- I had tears of joy when a man who grew up on the streets ask me to baptize him the following week. He said he was ready for a new road with Jesus, away from the violent life he said he’d always chosen.
- I also answered about 80 emails that afternoon and tackled a church database fiasco. 🙂
This is just a snap shot of one day of living out my specific purpose. It’s more difficult than I would have ever imagined, but also more rewarding.
For most people, purpose won’t look like leading a church. But no matter what:
To live out God’s purpose for your life, there are often things we need to be willing to drop.
…and I believe God created each of us with purpose.
What are you willing to drop to pick up God’s purpose?
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they dropped their nets and followed him.
What might you have to drop to pick up your purpose?
To live out God’s purpose for your life, there are often things we need to be willing to drop.
This is only a theory, but one based on the story of my life.
When I finally said “yes” to the calling God had on my life, I had realized how choosing anything else would be meaningless. It was still my choice, but I knew I would regret it every day of my life if I didn’t step into it.
I know this might seem strange: becoming a pastor in a local church felt like being taken off the front lines.
I thought about how much less time I would spend with people who didn’t know Jesus. I thought about how I believe that all of us are called to be on mission in our daily lives, not just those in vocational ministry. But I kept hearing this whisper from God:
“Yes! And I want you to show other people what that looks like.”
There was a paradox to accepting God’s invitation:
On one hand, I was overwhelmed with feeling like Jesus himself had come up to my fishing boat and asked me to drop everything and follow him.
On the other hand, the “drop everything” part took more courage than I was ready for.
I had to drop my pre-conceived notion that women weren’t church planters, lead pastors or preachers just because I had never experienced a woman leading in that way.
I had to drop a neutral stance on what women could be called to do and study scripture intently so that I would know if this calling could be from God.
I had to drop the idea that dating would be easy as I sailed through my twenties. (I thought about what number date it was appropriate to mention my calling and hope that the phrase “pastor’s husband” doesn’t come up and potentially cancel the next date.)
I had to drop the thought that true mission was outside of the US and realize my own city was now at under 10% claiming to know the freedom found in Jesus.
I had to drop the idea that I was going to spend most of my time with those who weren’t Christians and step into lots of time together with Christians engaging with and loving our neighbors who don’t know Jesus.
I had to drop the idea that leading a church was “boring and uneventful” and realize that starting a church on mission would be the greatest adventure I could ever imagine.
On a hot day last summer, I came down from from the stage after preaching God’s love & hope to the people in my congregation and milled through the 200 or so people who had gathered in a public school to worship for five years now:
- I connected a woman with resources to get groceries for her family’s empty pantry.
- I prayed with a man who was exhausted over a never ending job search to provide for his family.
- I hugged and cried with a woman who was hoping to get custody of her grandkids after they had been taken by the state because her home wasn’t safe.
- I celebrated with a family who just had a new born baby girl.
- I spoke affirmation to a group of activists on mission, trying to shut down a local brothel.
- I was nearly tackled by more 2 to 5 year olds then I can count as they swarmed around me to show me their craft from their Bible lesson.
- I had tears of joy when a man who grew up on the streets ask me to baptize him the following week. He said he was ready for a new road with Jesus, away from the violent life he said he’d always chosen.
- I also answered about 80 emails that afternoon and tackled a church database fiasco. 🙂
This is just a snap shot of one day of living out my specific purpose. It’s more difficult than I would have ever imagined, but also more rewarding.
For most people, purpose won’t look like leading a church. But no matter what:
To live out God’s purpose for your life, there are often things we need to be willing to drop.
…and I believe God created each of us with purpose.
What are you willing to drop to pick up God’s purpose?
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they dropped their nets and followed him.
Great post Stephanie!
True, inspiring, prayer provoking. My first thoughts of this opinion. I have for a long time believed our own backyard or work place has become a great mission field. God is truly using you and you are willing and able to be “used” for His glory. Thank you.
[…] know what it feels like to want to shrink back from what God is calling you into. I’ve seen many men and women face the pressures that come with living into leadership. But […]