I thought about writing this post last month when the NFL draft was going on but it's still appropriate with the upcoming drafts of the other major sports (NBA, MLB, NHL). When thinking about the draft, it works well with the situation of life that I'm in right now. I just finished my Master's of Divinity degree and am in the process of looking for a full time ministry position. In many ways, it is similar to a college athlete who finished his collegiate career and waiting for the time of the draft.
There is the declaration that you are available, the answering of questions, the checking over of one's background and credentials. And then there is the wait. We see the players as they wait to hear their name called and find out where they will be going to play. In a lot of ways, that is how I'm feeling right now. Sending out resumes, answering questions, and waiting. Waiting to get a call saying I have been hired, that I've been "drafted".
Just as certain teams look for a particular need to fill for their teams, the same is true in ministry. God has designed me with gifts and abilities that work well with certain ministries (college/young adult, discipleship). And I know that He has the right place for me to serve. I just pray and wait for the call.
Wherever I get "drafted", I'm excited about the next phase of my life and what God has in store for me. Until then, I wait for the call...
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, July 17, 2009
Ministry and Rocky Balboa
I've been feeling kind of down and so I thought I'd rent something off iTunes. Something that kind of fit my mood. So I ended up watching Rocky Balboa. It's a movie that I've seen several times and own the DVD back home. It's a movie that is one of my favorites. At where I'm at in my life right now, the story resonated.
I think the scene that really stuck out with me was the one with Rocky and his son. His son confronted him after he found out about the fight with Mason Dixon and talked about all the struggles he's having to go through being under the shadow of his father and being considered a joke. Rocky then reminds him about watching him grow up and telling about how he would be great and that he'd be his own man. But in that he lost being who he was and instead starting blaming others.
The key point is how Rocky talks about how life hits and how it hits hard. The key lines are these: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward."
I would say the past two weeks I've been taking some real hard shots. The kind that are like ones right to the face. If anyone has ever been hit in the face, especially in the nose, you know how it messes you up. You get dazed, you stagger around a bit and you lose your balance a little. You pretty much can't keep from being really affected by it. It hurts. I think that would pretty much sum up the past two weeks.
That's the way following Jesus is. Sometimes there will be times when you get hit and get hit hard. It will hurt and it'll hurt bad. That's the life we're called to. Throughout the Bible, it talks about how those who followed Jesus had to deal with rough times but they kept going because 1) they knew that following Jesus was worth more than not and 2) they had the presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort them in those times.
It's like Rock said, you have to take the hits and keep moving forward. It may take a little time to shake off the hurt but you keep moving forward. That's what a follower of Jesus is called to.
I think the scene that really stuck out with me was the one with Rocky and his son. His son confronted him after he found out about the fight with Mason Dixon and talked about all the struggles he's having to go through being under the shadow of his father and being considered a joke. Rocky then reminds him about watching him grow up and telling about how he would be great and that he'd be his own man. But in that he lost being who he was and instead starting blaming others.
The key point is how Rocky talks about how life hits and how it hits hard. The key lines are these: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward."
I would say the past two weeks I've been taking some real hard shots. The kind that are like ones right to the face. If anyone has ever been hit in the face, especially in the nose, you know how it messes you up. You get dazed, you stagger around a bit and you lose your balance a little. You pretty much can't keep from being really affected by it. It hurts. I think that would pretty much sum up the past two weeks.
That's the way following Jesus is. Sometimes there will be times when you get hit and get hit hard. It will hurt and it'll hurt bad. That's the life we're called to. Throughout the Bible, it talks about how those who followed Jesus had to deal with rough times but they kept going because 1) they knew that following Jesus was worth more than not and 2) they had the presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort them in those times.
It's like Rock said, you have to take the hits and keep moving forward. It may take a little time to shake off the hurt but you keep moving forward. That's what a follower of Jesus is called to.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Utility Player and the Ministry
As I was walking from chapel yesterday, a thought came to my mind. And of course it involved sports. There have been times in my life (this being one of them), where in a sense I'm "riding the bench" waiting for a spot to open up regarding a ministry position whether it be while I'm in seminary or waiting until I graduate. It reminds me a lot of a utility player.
For those who don't know, a utility player is a term that comes from baseball. It is a player who can play multiple positions but doesn't start. He usually is a fill in for a starter either because of injury or for rest. They are talented players because they can play multiple positions but they aren't in a place to be a starter at any one position.
There are times in our lives where we fill in where we are needed in the church until we find the right place where we fit and where we will "start". Sometimes that is a quick find, other times it may take years. It doesn't mean those that are "utility players" are any less important than the "starters". It means that we need to be flexible to what God has called for us while were in that utility role so that when the right "starting" position becomes available, we'll be ready for it.
For those who don't know, a utility player is a term that comes from baseball. It is a player who can play multiple positions but doesn't start. He usually is a fill in for a starter either because of injury or for rest. They are talented players because they can play multiple positions but they aren't in a place to be a starter at any one position.
There are times in our lives where we fill in where we are needed in the church until we find the right place where we fit and where we will "start". Sometimes that is a quick find, other times it may take years. It doesn't mean those that are "utility players" are any less important than the "starters". It means that we need to be flexible to what God has called for us while were in that utility role so that when the right "starting" position becomes available, we'll be ready for it.
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