Posts Tagged ‘Sermons’
How can I be concerned with what concerns God?
The recent series on Jonah challenged me to be concerned with what concerns God. I love that idea, and find that challenge leads me to another challenge:
How can I be concerned with what concerns God?
You see, there are moments of my day that are devoted to others, where I’m concerned with their lives…..everything from opening the door, buying a volunteer leader a coffee, meeting a friend to exercise, or helping my mom figure out what to do when someone pokes her on Facebook ☺ And I believe God is concerned with all of these in some way, even if it’s simply that these things keep me connected into the community I live.
But for me, while my day may involve others, it still often centers around me. So when it comes to being concerned with what concerns God, I pull out my calendar. And this is why:
I have to schedule my other-centeredness.
Without the commitment and mark on my calendar, my life too easily is “The Sue Show”, starring me, and with a lot of bit players and stage hands that mill around in the background.
Last year, I spent every Monday during the school year tutoring at Woodson Elementary. This year, I’ve committed to serve monthly at one of our Intersect partners that works with the Atlanta homeless community. These have been some of my favorite things I’ve been a part of at my church and in my life.
But, the day I’m going to serve, these are typically my thoughts:
• “I hope it gets cancelled”
• “I hope no one else can go, so we cancel”
• “I hope I finish early”
• “I’d rather go home and watch TV”
• “Is that a headache I’m feeling coming on? I might need to head home”
Here are my thoughts after I’ve served:
• That was so much fun
• What was that issue at work I was so consumed by?
• I’m so glad I went
• I need to get my friends to come with me
• I left the church office and came here, and feel closer to God than at the office
I don’t presume to know what demands are being made of anyone’s schedule or time. And I know from many of my volunteer leaders that their heart beats loudly at a chance to help and serve in our community. They encourage me greatly.
These last few years have been a journey for me and God, growing my heart to be concerned with what concerns God. I’m getting there, and in the meantime, my calendar reminds me what my heart might forget.
Sue Bates, Groups Director
Great Expectations
As we talked about this past Sunday, what God expects from you is a reflection of what He believes about you. Read the rest of this entry »
