What am I doing?

Recently, I was challenged to get out of my comfort zone. That's easy, right?? If I'm going to get out of my comfort zone, I need to know what my comfort zone is, right? My comfort zone is what I love to do. It's spending time with my family. It's hanging out with my friends. It's spending time at work. It's focusing on the "stuff" that consumes my time. It's what I wake up to do everyday... But, is this what I'm supposed to be doing? That's a good question.

I believe God has placed a call on my life. I have been called to work in full time ministry in the church. This call is has led me to be a music pastor at Fairhaven. In this call, I work with people (adults, youth, and children) to teach and demonstrate worship. I must lead a life of worship, not just a weekend of worship. I must fulfill this call because it is from God. But, is this my calling? Short answer, no.

God has placed the same call on all our lives. We are to be workers in the harvest. All of us. That is what we are to do. That means we must identify the harvest and start working. So, what is the harvest? The harvest is people, specifically people who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior. So, I am to be a worker with the unbelievers. You are to be a worker with the unbelievers. That is what we are "called" to do. That is our great commission. By working in the harvest we are to make disciples. So, it's not just working with the unbelievers. We are to make disciples. It's the work of God that will change someone's heart, but we are still called to work in the harvest so we can make disciples. I know this is a little repetitous, but it's a point worth hammering home.

So, where does this leave me? If someone were to ask me where my harvest is, my answer would be, "Right here." Is that correct? Is my harvest in my comfortble work area with people I know and love? It can't be!! I must be reaching the non believers. I fully believe that leading worship on the weekends can do that, but is that enough? By picking certain songs to sing, does that lead people to change their lives and begin serving God? While I'm singing a song, is someone realizing that the only way they become a follower of Jesus is to realize that they live a life of total depravity and nothing they do can get them into heaven? I hope so... because if not, I'm not working in the harvest. I must equip people around me to do this, but I must do it as well.

What will this all look like? Honestly, I don't know yet. I'm working on it. I do know that I'm going to get out of my comfort zone. Hang on!! It's time to get to work!!

-Just my thoughts...

Professionalism

Is professionalism based on what you wear or what you are? I was faced with an interesting situation a few weeks ago. A few months ago, my wife was asked to oversee the registration for a state conference. In her attempt to fill all the needed slots, I was asked to fill many of them. This music conference would give me access to many national vendors, as well as put me in contact with some fabulous musicians. This would be well worth the few hours of work I would be doing. This sets the stage for the situation

As I was packing for this trip, I asked my wife what I should bring to wear. I usually dress very casual. Okay. I always dress casual. I can’t remember the last time I “dressed up” for work. While I have no problem with putting on a suit, or at least a shirt and tie, I rarely do it. I will wear a suit for weddings and concerts, but that’s about it. Anyway, I was told I could wear jeans. Fine by me… Well, that turned out to not be true…

My first morning, around 8:00, I was informed by the Co-Chairman that my dress was unprofessional and I needed to go home and change. See, the problem with that is I didn’t bring anything else. I only had jeans in my bag. I wore one of my nicer shirts, but even that wasn’t a dress shirt. I can’t go home. Home is an hour drive and an hour back. I can’t go shopping. It’s 8:00. Nothing is open. Now I have no idea what to do. I was not allowed to stay. Period… That was made perfectly clear. So, I’ve now left my wife in a bind and it’s something I can’t do anything. I knew a store would open at 10:00, but that put a little damper on what I was supposed to do.

Long story short, I missed my first shift, found a store open (at 10:00), bought two outfits, changed into one of them, and then returned to the registration booth. I was faced with many thoughts on how to properly handle this situation. We all have those inner thoughts that we process through and sometimes we end up making a bigger deal out of a situation. I was angry. I was frustrated. I was even annoyed with buying new clothes. But, those are things that I can deal with and get over. What I wanted to do was learn something from this.

The bottom line is I needed to do what I was told to do. That’s the way it is. I must respect those that are placed in authority over me. I understand this. I respect this. I struggle with this, but I deal with it. I think if we are all honest, we all struggle with authority at some level. If you disagree with me… answer this… Do you obey every speed limit sign you see? Even the ridiculous ones that say 25 MPH when it’s a four lane road…? If so, congratulations!! You are a better person than I. Anyway, I should have thought through my outfits better. I should have recognized I was participating in a professional event and should have taken the proper measures to make sure I fit in.

So, what’s the spiritual side of all of this? First of all, I am so thankful that my “Boss” looks at my heart and not my clothes. Most of my clothes don’t fit in with the “professional” standard, but does that mean I’m not professional? I say no. While I respect following a dress code and following instructions given to me by those in charge, I disagree with what professionalism is. Professionalism is subjective. When someone can tell me what their opinion is and then make that a “rule”, I don't believe it is absolute truth. This doesn’t mean I won’t adhere to this “rule” that was created, but I don’t take it as the way it should be. It’s the way it is. I believe that God is absolute truth and, as a result, I will follow the book that He has given us. All other material is subjective.

So, where does that leave me? I will follow the instructions and guidelines that are placed before me. I will listen to those that are placed over me. I will trust our earthly leaders because they are in charge. I will not compromise myself just because someone tells me to something. I will remain true to the One who is the Ultimate Truth. God has called me to be a light in a dark world. So, I must put aside myself in order to fit in with those around me. I will be professional… it just may not look the way it is “supposed” to...

-Just my thoughts...