As most of you know, my husband is a pastor. He didn't mean to be a pastor. I don't even think he wanted to be a pastor. I believe he was CALLED to be a pastor. Read here for the story of how I found out about his calling.
To understand this calling, you need to know about the Great Commission...
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission refers to the time Jesus was telling his disciples that they had a lot of work ahead of them. He told them they were to go out and spread the word, to teach the world about Jesus. We also believe that those directions were given to all Christians. However, we often use the term "called" when we are speaking of someone who feels they are given the spiritual nudge to give themselves completely to this vocation. Someone who is called into the ministry not only is answering the command of the Great Commission, but also offering themselves to act as a leader and a shepherd to other Christians as they also follow the Great Commission themselves. Mike is one of those people.
I am very proud of my husband for following this calling. I know he didn't really want to. I know he is an introvert and being a pastor may not have seemed like a likely vocation for him. I also know that he relies on God's guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit to help him and I know that is why he is able to do what he does. He set aside a lot of his own dreams to allow God to lead him where he wanted him. He didn't know where this path would lead.
Putting aside your own desires to follow such a calling goes against what our current society teaches us is good and just. We hear a lot of advice...follow your dreams, do what you love, if it feels good do it, it is your choice, stand up for yourself...the list goes on. It isn't necessarily all bad, but Christians are taught something more. We are taught that we are to be only the managers of our lives, not the owners (my words). We are taught that we are to look after the needs of others as much as we do for ourselves. We are taught that the most important thing we can do is to spread the word about God's grace.
To understand this calling, you need to know about the Great Commission...
Matthew 28:16-20
New International Version (NIV)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”The Great Commission refers to the time Jesus was telling his disciples that they had a lot of work ahead of them. He told them they were to go out and spread the word, to teach the world about Jesus. We also believe that those directions were given to all Christians. However, we often use the term "called" when we are speaking of someone who feels they are given the spiritual nudge to give themselves completely to this vocation. Someone who is called into the ministry not only is answering the command of the Great Commission, but also offering themselves to act as a leader and a shepherd to other Christians as they also follow the Great Commission themselves. Mike is one of those people.
I am very proud of my husband for following this calling. I know he didn't really want to. I know he is an introvert and being a pastor may not have seemed like a likely vocation for him. I also know that he relies on God's guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit to help him and I know that is why he is able to do what he does. He set aside a lot of his own dreams to allow God to lead him where he wanted him. He didn't know where this path would lead.
Putting aside your own desires to follow such a calling goes against what our current society teaches us is good and just. We hear a lot of advice...follow your dreams, do what you love, if it feels good do it, it is your choice, stand up for yourself...the list goes on. It isn't necessarily all bad, but Christians are taught something more. We are taught that we are to be only the managers of our lives, not the owners (my words). We are taught that we are to look after the needs of others as much as we do for ourselves. We are taught that the most important thing we can do is to spread the word about God's grace.
3 comments:
I love this! Sunday our pastor referenced The Great Commission pointing out that not only does God give us the command to go and make disciples, but he gives us the amazing promise that HE WILL BE WITH US! He didn't ascend and say, "Good luck to you guys down there while I go sit down with my Father!" Instead, he gives us the Holy Spirit to walk with us, guiding us, giving wisdom and encouragement. How cool!
Just I like I mentioned earlier this week, you, Sue were "called" to be a nurse! cindy
Yep!
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