That makes me what I am!

It hardly seems possible that I am coming up on my third week in this ministry position at Otterbein United Methodist Church. It is true and I am sure that many of those in the church have made some observations and conclusion that answered the initial curiosity they might have had about me. Now though, for many the initial curiosity has been satisfied and they are looking to determine what motivates me, what kind of leader I will be, and what passions or zeal I will exert. I think these kinds of questions are appropriate and good but often take a while to get a good sense of what the answers may be. Well, I didn’t want anyone to have too wait so let me share with you from my heart what I can to help with those questions.

During my interviews for this ministry position I was asked the question, “What is the one thing you are the most passionate about?” I hardly had to think about that answer because from the time I recommitted my life to Christ as a young teenager I began to be troubled by the lack of commitment to God that so many church goers had? I couldn’t understand why so many came week after week to church and yet their lives never seemed to reflect a hunger or true love for God and His kingdom. Thus God birthed in me a passion to see the church (individuals) rise to their full potential as Disciples of Christ. I don’t want to see anyone sitting in the pews week after week without some growth and hunger for the Lord. Of course, there will always be those who just are not willing to let go and let God transform them. Still though, my passion marches on.

Now in all fairness that fervent passion is being joined by another growing zeal. This new passion and longing is one that did not come so naturally, rather it was one I had to pray about. As I look back at my life and examine where I am now I can’t help be excited that God is answering my prayer and that this passion is now joining hand in hand with my zeal to Disciple. This passion and longing that is welling up in my heart is this, to see the lost embrace salvation.
From the beginning when I had first recommitted my life to Christ as a young teen I was afraid of the world. I literally saw anyone who did not share my faith as dangerous and they made me uncomfortable. However as I grew in my faith and read God’s Word I could not escape the incredible reality of God’s Love and desire for the lost. So I began to pray about it. God has brought me a long way from my lack of concern to a deepening love for the lost.

I am blessed to have the ministry that I do in the local church that I serve. I am looking forward to God using me to foster an even greater culture of love in this church for the lost. I am looking forward to God using me to wake up the spiritually apathetic and to help the sincere disciple walk in a deeper fellowship and intimacy with God.

Truly there is nothing neither more important nor more motivating to me than to see God transform someone’s heart. Whether it is someone who has just embraced salvation or a disciple whose own heart is showing signs of reflecting God’s. I get excited about this. It is this zeal and passion which is a reflection of God in me that makes me who I am. I did not make this zeal and passion, rather it is making me. It is the very heart and Spirit of God working in me.

Rom 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.