Listeners

"I am an attendee."

WORDS HAVE subtil nuances. We are not all ministers. We are not all called into ministry. We do not all have a ministry. But we are each one of us ministering to those in need. This idea that each man has his own ministry drives me batty. If all were the head, where are the feet, where are the hands and the eyes (1 Corinthians 12:17)? All men cannot be leaders, some must be those who listen, those who support. This picture of the church as a multi-headed creature won’t leave me alone, right now. It all began, as they say, with the idea many do nothing and so they miss God’s call for their life. But some are simply called to “be” and not to speak or write or do nurseries. New grandmothers are too squishy where youngsters are concerned. We are all children of God, we are all part of the body of Christ, because we have received salvation through Jesus Christ. But we are not all meant to lead or “be involved.” I do not feel the least bit guilty for not being a door greeter, but I know excellent, top-notch door greeters. I know people who adore young children’s screeching and clamoring voices. I know those who do lighting well and those who lead worship. I know those who simply attend, and that is where they need to be.

That is not a derogatory statement. I am an attendee. I am also a writer. Writing is my gift. I have written many books, but I am not currently called to write books. The reason: Books can and have taken the place of God’s Word in many people. Fiction and nonfiction both have their place, but they never should be read more than the Bible. Entertainment outside of church also has a place. But we should not spend more hours in front of the computer, in front of the TV, or in a sports game than we do in prayer. And this does not mean we must sit at home in our secret place most of the day. God goes with you, so include Him in everything.

Seriously. Make the point to play golf with Him in your thoughts. Sing that funky song by that artist you found, with God listening. Read that romance, knowing God has read the story. My life changed unalterably when God became part of everything. Suddenly, nothing else I did mattered if He was not in it. Suddenly, I heard Him say things that I’d never heard Him say before. Because here’s the truth: When we leave God out, then we won’t feel His Presence. The question which begins, “Why didn’t God …?” is almost always answered by the fact we didn’t include Him but left the door open for the possibility of other things.

As long as something besides God is the option, He will not take first place.

The truth is, we want to have our hands holding something “just in case.” But God needs to be our “just in case.” We must throw all the eggs in His basket and then have two mindsets. One, that we will let go, and Two, that we will enjoy life. When I realized I had to place my trust in Him completely, I also realized fear had no place in me. Our health can’t be a way out of the goodness of God. Our finances can’t be an out of the goodness of God. What happened to the other person, which looks so much like God did nothing, cannot affect who we know He is and what we know He’s promised.

How much of God is too much of God? There isn’t a “too much.” If there seems to be one, then ask Him to adjust your thinking because He is goodness on a scale beyond our capacity to think of it all. We are so limited by our human scale of thinking. That said, don’t be afraid of what He wants to do FOR YOU and IN YOU and THROUGH YOU. Also, don’t be afraid if, right now, He wants you to do nothing but believe. There are those who get nervous if they’re not involved. If this is you, again, ask the Spirit to help you adjust your thinking and also your need to act because when we’re putting out energy, then we’re not taking it in. To learn we must commit ourselves to listening, to resting in Him. To be wise, we must hear wisdom, and the frantic, busy brain will take in nothing. Will miss signals.

Don’t judge others, lest ye be judged (Matthew 7:1) has another nuance besides hatred and strife. Don’t ask an introverted person to be an outspoken one. Don’t ask someone not goal-oriented to start making huge goals. If that person likes to draw in pen-and-ink, then don’t expect them to switch to AI. It’s okay if you do your checkbook balance by hand. It’s okay that I don’t do mine at all. But where God challenges you to step up higher, to be different now, don’t be afraid to obey. And where He asks you to leave things alone, then don’t pick them up.

Stop seeking labels. Stop making labels. Stop expecting everyone to enroll in Bible College. There are wonderful colleges out there: Charis Bible College is one. We have an excellent local university. But many like my mother learned at the feet of Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit and making a move when He advance them. This is my point. What we choose to do should never be more important than God’s Word to us, than His prompting. And what we preach and teach and speak to others should always support them.

“Whoever claims to be a Christian or a friend of God must love like Jesus loved.” (1 John 2:6, Remedy)

Image by Παῦλος from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com