Something Gary Weins (who, by the way, jumped on the blog bandwagon for a while but appears to have tapered off) taught on a while ago has really be helping me in my own time with God is about avoiding the sway to be a broker of the knowledge of God.
When he said this it made me realize that may be one of the primary themes in my study and prayer life. To be the middleman between God and the rest of humanity. To be the broker of revelation to my friends and family and to those who may listen (or read in your case) to what I have to say.
I have often times read a passage and then thought to myself; “How would I preach this to my youth group back home?”
Not that those thoughts and processes are wrong, but when they dominate my life in God then someone here is missing the point.
As I’ve been in the prayer room since hearing Gary I’ve been focusing on just me and Jesus. Just me and the Holy Spirit. Just me and the Father. When I pray a prayer over myself (take Colossians 1:9-12 for example), I pray it for just me. I don’t pray it and then exegete it so that I can tell others how they can walk worthily, I ask just for me.
God, help ME to walk worthy of you. Help ME to be pleasing to you.
I want my life in God to be my own. Not simply a tool to lead others in places that I only know about but haven’t actually visited. To put it in laymen’s terms: It’s all about me.
Question to the Readers: Are there other preacher/teachers out there that know what I”m talking about? And for those of you who don’t feel called to preach or teach the word, what are areas you struggle with to keep your personal life in God focused on a personal relationship?
courtney said:
YES.
I probably don’t need to say more…but for the sake of clarity I will.
Brokering before God; “asking” things of God like He isn’t the one who put the idea in my heart anyway… all in all not realizing His total soverienty and just worshipping who He is. Trying to stay in control. Really. I’m not even that good at being in control. You’d think I would’ve given that up by now.
In short, YES.
Posted on August 8, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Nathan said:
This is a welcomed caution for me - I initially thought you were referring to a puffed-up, arrogant perspective in “brokering” one’s top experiences & teachings to others. Although that seems not to be the exact angle you developed I appreciate both views.
Regarding your perspective of keeping the mindset & habits of your calling from usurping personal intimacy with God, I think it goes back to the “being vs. doing” challenge. I can function as a teacher but don’t think it matters much what calling you are, the mind can overstep its bounds and get between us & God many times.
Shameless promotion: Hey anybody - pray that we get a prayer room here in Philly! The largest city in the country without one!
Posted on August 9, 2006 at 10:24 am
Jo said:
Sometimes I think about that with onething… we focus so much on how to take “this message” and share and teach it, yet its so easy to focus so much on THEM and not on US. Its easy to go to a city and everyone be so in awe of what we do and forget that we’re beginners too.
Thanks for sharing…. Good ‘ol Gary! I remember when he was my youth pastor at MCF. SUCH a good story teller. My favorite was the story of “Rindercella” where most of the story all the words were mixed up. He did SO well (must have practiced a ton!)
Posted on August 9, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Esther said:
Gee, I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this, but I do tend to preach to myself. I find myself going off on a little dream where I’m preaching, but I’m also the audience. It is fairly irritating even to myself when I catch myself doing it and I have to make myself just quit! But 2 seconds later, there I am in that little dream world. I have some problems focusing obviously! I would much rather feel God enjoying me.
One of the ways I can keep myself focused is by doing what you were saying, making the verse for me and not anyone else. I was praying the verse, man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart. It was so much better praying, Father, look at MY heart.
Posted on August 10, 2006 at 4:37 am
Shawn said:
I think a big root issue we deal with in this area is our perception and deffinition of success. We all know the sunday school answer of success verses our actual heart connection to it. Most of us have the connection of success as money, knowledge, power, popularity, all of the above.
God defines success as being like Him.
That’s why David was a man after God’s heart because all that God wants is a dwelling place. That’s what David wanted too: A Dwelling place for God. The true dwelling place of God on earth is in our broken and contrite hearts as we tremble at His word.
Posted on August 10, 2006 at 3:31 pm
amy said:
Their is no failure or success in the kingdom of God, only Obedience!
Posted on August 12, 2006 at 4:45 pm