As most if not all of you know, I am a Cubs fan. So I am supposed to write a blog post giving reasons they lost. Or maybe hoping for next year. Not today at least.
Natural comments I receive regarding the Cubs lets me know that people are aware the Cubs games are important to me, especially playoff time (even from people whose team did not have the best record in the NL; I have to at least have one defensive zinger).
This made me think. What do people see in my life that lets them know about my passion to serve God? What happens in the real world that would make people think, I should tell Justin Lewis about this. Opportunities to serve? Injustice that I would work to curtail? Things going on in Zambia? These type of things are things I should be defined by. Not the most knowledgeable or loyal Cubs fan in Memphis or something like that.
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
UNCOMFORTABLE BEING COMFORTABLE (THAT LITTLE VOICE)
That little voice in my mind is becoming more clear. No, it is not a mentally unstable voice I am hearing. I am thinking about how uncomfortable I am becoming being comfortable. My comfort zone lacks much want or need. It lacks a great deal of danger. It also lacks much of a challenge of discipleship. What I mean by that is my surroundings do not make it difficult to be a disciple. Only my willingness.
This semester (living in semesters can be pretty comfortable) I have been experiencing what it is like to be a counselor, to work with broken people. I see that many of these people do not have the environment to succeed as a disciple or as an individual. Growing up in a home that gives witness to someone dragging your mother down stairs by her hair does not cultivate American success (opportunities for jobs, college, earning a living) or more importantly learning about Christ (growing up in a safe Christian home). It does give a life experience that could create violence and a feeling of not being safe. It makes me realize my comfort is a "privilege" that gives me a head start.
What in my life must change to be a better disciple? For to whom much is given much is expected. What can I do to rid myself of being comfortable? I must leave my comfort zone by helping those in need. Make sacrifices of my time and money. Do things that show true discipleship. I want people to actually see something different in me because of the way I help people.
I want to make people feel the way a counselor at Hope Works made a client feel. Based on simply listening to this person's life story and being encouraging the client said, "If everybody were like you it would be a better place."
This semester (living in semesters can be pretty comfortable) I have been experiencing what it is like to be a counselor, to work with broken people. I see that many of these people do not have the environment to succeed as a disciple or as an individual. Growing up in a home that gives witness to someone dragging your mother down stairs by her hair does not cultivate American success (opportunities for jobs, college, earning a living) or more importantly learning about Christ (growing up in a safe Christian home). It does give a life experience that could create violence and a feeling of not being safe. It makes me realize my comfort is a "privilege" that gives me a head start.
What in my life must change to be a better disciple? For to whom much is given much is expected. What can I do to rid myself of being comfortable? I must leave my comfort zone by helping those in need. Make sacrifices of my time and money. Do things that show true discipleship. I want people to actually see something different in me because of the way I help people.
I want to make people feel the way a counselor at Hope Works made a client feel. Based on simply listening to this person's life story and being encouraging the client said, "If everybody were like you it would be a better place."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR VOICE? (WHY I WON'T VOTE)
With the upcoming election it is a time as an American people to "voice" our opinion, right? Our democratic government has it figured out. People over 18 can "voice" their opinion on our next president. The next great leader of the free world (and any other country we decide to invade).
It may be considered our American duty to vote each election. I would rather be a disciple of Jesus. Do they contradict? Maybe so maybe not. I would rather express my voice through acts of kindness. I would rather express how I want my money to be spent by spending it on that and more importantly by doing something about it. Meanwhile giving to Caesar what is Caesars, because that is what we have to do. If you have a passion to support education, do it. If you have a desire to keep your money- do the best you can at building an empire and express your voice that way. How about this, if you want to care for the poor don't wait on the government and complain about welfare. Do your part. Interested in international affairs? You get my point. Express your voice through actions that is what we are called to do anyway. Volunteer, show love and compassion, leave your comfort zone, and give your money away.
Today I decided not to vote. Why divide myself from people I like who may vote differently based on political choice(yes I still like people who choose to vote)? Why not just try to inspire through the voice I choose to use; a voice that comes from discipleship? This is the best I can do.
I plan to continue a series of blog posts on "voices".
It may be considered our American duty to vote each election. I would rather be a disciple of Jesus. Do they contradict? Maybe so maybe not. I would rather express my voice through acts of kindness. I would rather express how I want my money to be spent by spending it on that and more importantly by doing something about it. Meanwhile giving to Caesar what is Caesars, because that is what we have to do. If you have a passion to support education, do it. If you have a desire to keep your money- do the best you can at building an empire and express your voice that way. How about this, if you want to care for the poor don't wait on the government and complain about welfare. Do your part. Interested in international affairs? You get my point. Express your voice through actions that is what we are called to do anyway. Volunteer, show love and compassion, leave your comfort zone, and give your money away.
Today I decided not to vote. Why divide myself from people I like who may vote differently based on political choice(yes I still like people who choose to vote)? Why not just try to inspire through the voice I choose to use; a voice that comes from discipleship? This is the best I can do.
I plan to continue a series of blog posts on "voices".
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