Day of Equipment

On Thursday, while my eldest continued preparing for her upcoming mission trip, I took the little one to purchase her first softball glove. Expecting a quick stop at Play It Again Sports, I didn't plan much time for the excursion (she is only 5 after all). But, alas, ALL of the gloves in her size were gone. We tried some smaller and bigger gloves, but none of them fit quite right.

It's important for her to have the appropriate equipment to ensure this doesn't stand in her way enjoying her first year of softball. Off we went to Dick's Sporting Goods! We scoured the shelves searching for a glove with the perfect fit. We could've settled for her sister's hammy downs, but I want my youngest to have her own memories with her own equipment. We could've grabbed the first glove we saw, but if it didn't fit quite right, she might get discouraged and quit before she ever got a chance to experience the joys of the game. We could've settled for a baseball mitt versus one for softball (not too much difference at the tee-ball age), but it would seem like a compromise. After much searching, we found a glove she's excited to start using.

Searching for equipment is similar to church shopping. One of the things I love about the Christian faith is the variety of church families to join. Some people might suggest the slight differences in doctrine from one church to the next actually cause rifts within the faith or may foster rationalization for non-believers to say "you can't even agree on doctrine, let alone unity!"

For me, the variety allows people from all walks of life to find a church family who meet the unique qualities and life experiences of each and every person. You could borrow the beliefs of someone else or you can seek a congregation for which you feel most comfortable. You could join the first congregation out of guilt or obligation, but quickly become bitter and disengaged because it doesn't fit your specific faith journey needs. You could even choose a church which on the outside looks like what you're seeking, but the church doctrine appeals to congregants who may not align with your personal convictions, thus compromising a part of you.

When seeking a new church, I've found an unyielding desire to shop until I find one that fits like a glove! It creates my own memories/experiences along my faith journey, it keeps me falling in love with Jesus daily never becoming complacent and disengaged, and it allows me to reveal my vulnerabilities comfortably knowing I'm supported by others who share things of similar importance. Never give up finding a church to foster Christ's love within you. When you find a church that fits like a glove, you can embrace God's plan for you uninhibited!!

Day 79: Heavenly Father, thank you for instilling in me a desire to keep seeking my role in your church. Thank you for providing me free will to choose a church which does not distract me from fulfilling your role for me. Thank you for guiding me to Carmel United Methodist Church.

Lord, I pray each member of my church spends time in self reflection ensuring they feel our church fits like a glove for them. As much as I would never want to lose members of our congregation, more importantly, I don't want followers to feel complacent and not quite right in their place of worship. It seems more important to help believers find a congregation in which they can thrive for your glory than to ensure we don't lose numbers and financial offerings. 

Father God, I fear if we are not equipped appropriately through our devotion to you, our love for others, and our recognition of the importance of finding an appropriate church, we cannot build disciples who can build disciples. I trust what you place on my heart can help ensure my lasting commitment to you. I want to go wherever, whenever, and whatever!

I love you.

Day of Preparation

Could you be part of the starting lineup if you didn't practice? I suppose you could be, but how would you fair on the team? You may face embarrassment, ridicule, and slander, completely unmotivated to ever try again.

The same can be said for creating disciples. Would spreading God's message using people who enjoyed the light, poetic parts of the Bible, but didn't make the hard choices, have a long-lasting effect? Not likely. An interest may develop initially and possibly explored. But, when the kumbaya aura wore off and people faced decisions like giving up lifestyles of comfort or turning away from self-satisfying sinful behavior, the effect would be short-lived. 

Making disciples requires the disciple maker to prepare himself with not only knowledge, but also recognition of the motivation behind such a transformation. As I've pondered my motivation, I was initially concerned what drives me to participate in one of our community groups. I'm nervous because I have limited biblical knowledge compared to so many. I won't have all the answers and may not know where to find the answers. I've led youth group topical discussions, but not a discussion with my peers. But, then it dawned on me...showing God's love.

Unbeknownst to me, God's been preparing me for this opportunity. My commitment to this little blog has transformed my conversation with our Father and along the way helped provide encouraging words to others. My efforts to lessen my angst (lessen, the key, I'm not a saint) toward a coworker who disparaged me instead of motivating me have reaped rewards in my interaction with her. My directness, although for some may be too abrasive, has rebirthed a relationship I never thought would exist and lifted heavy, painful memories from my psyche. All of these changes have had a common theme, wanting others to experience God's love through me. I can't think of a better reason to embrace becoming a disciple maker!

Day 69: Heavenly Father, thank you for trusting me with such an honor to serve you! I am humbled by your confidence in my participation in a community group of followers. Thank you for the leadership within our church to recognize the bold approach we must take to be your true followers and obedient to your direction.

Jesus, it seems the disciples were not apprehensive when you asked them to follow you (okay, maybe Thomas had a little doubt). Is this true? Did they hesitate? Did they say "let me think about it?" Did they even bat an eye? My elementary understanding is they simply dropped everything and followed. How is this possible? What about their families? Their jobs? Their income? Loved ones relied on them. How were they able to just "about face" in a new direction? 

Lord, I pray I am as committed. I fear I could not turn away from my children. I trust you and say you are the center of my everything, but then I place qualifiers to that statement because of my children. I know you are a protective, loving God and would never command something of me at the detriment of my children. But, I still cannot shake the worry. Please forgive, be patient with me, and continue working w/in me to a full, all-in acceptance of your expectation of my commitment.

I love you.

Source: http://faithcommunityracine.org/content/ministries/children