Tuesday, March 24, 2009
teaching
One of those things that I just love to do is to teach. Every year I take one day and teach a course on Christian Education to a group of people working to be licensed local pastors. Though the work that I have in preparation is very time consuming, the eight hours I spend with these people are priceless. I love getting to know them and their ministry. I love hearing what makes their hearts sing. I love to challenge their thinking. I love helping them see that change is possible because of Christ.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Frustration and Hope
Is there anything more frustrating than realizing you have allowed your hope to be diminshed by frustration?
I am a hope-filled person. I know where my hope comes from and why I have hope. I know that my hope can never be taken away from me. But my hope can be seriously diminished when I allow my frustrations and worries to take over.
I am so thankful for specific friends that, over the last four months, have helped me through conversations to realize more about who I am and how I do things. I'm rather quiet in any kind of meeting. I like to take it all in. I want to share what is important. I'm not interested in taking more time than is needed. I want to be in relationship with others. I would rather fill my day off (or any other day that I can) with coffee and lunch and dinner and a movie with friends than spend the day at home by myself. I tend to be a pleaser as well. My pleasing comes from what I think is being expected of me and not what is actually communicated. That is a big problem. And then there is the issue of my over analization of EVERYTHING. I play things out in my head all the time. I have discussions with people that will never play out the way I'm hearing them. And that is the biggest frustration of all.
For some who know me they see me as a good communicator, meaning that I can hold a conversation and have a lot to say about certain things. For some I am quiet and reserved, meaning I do not have much input on a subject. For some I struggle to communicate, meaning the things that are most important I play out in my head and I worry that I will disappoint. Therefore, I get frustrated with myself. My hope is then greatly diminished. I feel that I have no leg to stand on. And so I remain silent.
Why does this happen? Because I allow fear to grip me. Because I have allowed my hope and confidence in Christ to take a back seat to the tasks that are before me.
NOTHING IS GREATER THAN GOD!
There is no task that should ever distract me from the greatness of God. "I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Enough with the distractions!
Enough with the worry!
Enough with the doubt!
Enough with the fear!
Enough with the frustration!
I have Hope because of Christ!
I have Peace because of Christ!
I have Love because of Christ!
I have Confidence because of Christ!
I am because of Christ!
I am a hope-filled person. I know where my hope comes from and why I have hope. I know that my hope can never be taken away from me. But my hope can be seriously diminished when I allow my frustrations and worries to take over.
I am so thankful for specific friends that, over the last four months, have helped me through conversations to realize more about who I am and how I do things. I'm rather quiet in any kind of meeting. I like to take it all in. I want to share what is important. I'm not interested in taking more time than is needed. I want to be in relationship with others. I would rather fill my day off (or any other day that I can) with coffee and lunch and dinner and a movie with friends than spend the day at home by myself. I tend to be a pleaser as well. My pleasing comes from what I think is being expected of me and not what is actually communicated. That is a big problem. And then there is the issue of my over analization of EVERYTHING. I play things out in my head all the time. I have discussions with people that will never play out the way I'm hearing them. And that is the biggest frustration of all.
For some who know me they see me as a good communicator, meaning that I can hold a conversation and have a lot to say about certain things. For some I am quiet and reserved, meaning I do not have much input on a subject. For some I struggle to communicate, meaning the things that are most important I play out in my head and I worry that I will disappoint. Therefore, I get frustrated with myself. My hope is then greatly diminished. I feel that I have no leg to stand on. And so I remain silent.
Why does this happen? Because I allow fear to grip me. Because I have allowed my hope and confidence in Christ to take a back seat to the tasks that are before me.
NOTHING IS GREATER THAN GOD!
There is no task that should ever distract me from the greatness of God. "I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Enough with the distractions!
Enough with the worry!
Enough with the doubt!
Enough with the fear!
Enough with the frustration!
I have Hope because of Christ!
I have Peace because of Christ!
I have Love because of Christ!
I have Confidence because of Christ!
I am because of Christ!
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