So, I saw this on twitter and then it was re-tweeted and re-tweeted and re-tweeted...and it is definately causing some intense thoughts in this mind of mine.
"It is always a mistake to decide what you want to do before you have decided on who you want to be." -Andy Stanley
Now, I love Andy Stanley and I think he is a solid man of God. BUT...not sure about this statement. Not knowing the context in which he said it does indeed make a difference, but here is just a tid bit of what is going on in this brain:)
First of all, I think we all have a lot to figure out along the way. I know that I had no idea who I would be and what I would be doing sixth months ago. We change, we morph, we become who He wants us to be. Because He is the One who defines us. We are found in Him. We rest in Him. We discover ourselves in Him.
I do believe as followers of the Way, we have an obligation to be holy as He is holy (I Peter 1:16). We are also suppose to pursue righteousness, love our brother and enemy just as we love ourselves, treat others with respect, be kind to the needy, etc. Here is the thing though, none of us are perfect. Our Heavenly Daddy realizes this. Why else would He send someone to SAVE us? He knows we are going to mess up. And through the mistakes...we learn. we change. we become the person we want to be.
Tonight, Johnny said something that completely just clicked. I think the exact quote was something like this, "We take the wrong steps and we just have to deal with it." This sounds harsh, but it is so true. When we decide to chase the dreams God has placed on our hearts there is no doubt that it is a leap of faith; and when we get scared and take the wrong step...we do have to deal with it but the coolest thing about that is that He uses that mistake to make us who we are! Let's be real, we know we mess up...alot. But we still have things we want to do for the Kingdom, things we are pursuing to see the story of God echoed across the world. When we mess up, the stride might become longer and tougher...the result we want might be months away or longer...and in the end we discover who we are.
He has prepared so many things for us to do and laid dreams (bigger than ourselves) on our hearts for a reason...for His glory to be shown. And He knows we will slip up and mess up. But we are still to pursue Him, still to trust Him, and still to discover who we are in Him and in Him alone.
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"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
1 comment:
He said this at Passion. I have access to the message. Honestly, it seemed too much like a motivational speech and not enough like a word from the Lord. I think that it should have been spoken to a group of middle schoolers more than young adults. Young teenagers need to realize who they are in Christ and build that firm foundation, so that later on in life, they can move and change and mold into who He wants us to become. So that they can stand in their faith and not be swayed.
All of that to say, I totally agree with your assessment.
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