Did I Misunderstand?
Words, definitions, and connotations can be tricky things. Clear communication is difficult! A certain word may have a particular meaning to me and a different meaning to you. Many times this is due to our experience of the word. For example, what if I told someone, “I’m a Christian.” One person may view this positively, associating it with virtues such as kindness and forgiveness. Another may be completely put off, relating Christianity with being judgmental and close-minded. Same word, totally different message.
Miscommunication can happen in our relationship with God, too. Surprised? Or have you floundered in misperception before? One particular experience shook my world. As I entered college it was my career goal to become a tentmaker missionary. The term doesn’t mean that one actually makes tents, but refers to a person who supports themselves financially through their career while serving on the mission field. It’s a nod to Paul, who worked as a tentmaker while on his missionary journeys (Acts 18:1-4).
Through the years I navigated the interesting waters of living out my faith at work in my own culture. After many years, my career was going well, but the possibility of going overseas seemed bleak. I began to question myself. Where did I go wrong? Had I left God’s path? Life was not progressing in the direction I thought God had wanted for me. It was a very disorienting season of life.
About that time, I started reading William Peel and Walt Larimore’s book Going Public with Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Work. It was then I realized I had bought into a non-Biblical belief of work. I had divided work into the secular and the sacred. That was not God’s design. Work is sacred. Don’t buy into the lie that only “full-time ministry” is sacred. Each one of us has a ministry to others through and because of our work.
Consider this quote:
“[Early church] growth didn’t occur as a result of the proliferation of full-time missionaries; it happened because ordinary followers of Jesus took their faith to the workplace and lived it out in their ordinary everyday encounters.” (page 13)
Faith displayed in the ordinary is powerful.
As I read through the book, God revealed to me that I hadn’t taken a wrong turn. I was right where He wanted me. In fact, I could almost visualize Him chuckling and shaking His head while lovingly saying, “You’ve always been a tentmaker missionary.” I had felt like I “missed the boat” of God’s will, but He revealed I had been on the boat the entire time.
Ministry doesn’t take place only at church or on a missions trip to a distant area. Ministry happens in the here and now, right where you are. God has you planted where you are for a reason. He wants to shine His light in that place. He chose you as the perfect fit to accomplish this. Let God shine through you in your ordinary everyday encounters.
Miscommunication will happen on this side of life, even with God. The key is to keep asking and searching. God desires us to see the truth clearly.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Scriptures for this week:
Colossians 3:12-24
Luke 7:18-23 Was that an answer? Why do you think Jesus responded in that manner?
Luke 3:7-18 How would you describe John’s definition of “Messiah?”
Jesus’ response would have cued John’s mind back to these scriptures in Isaiah. What was Jesus communicating to John concerning the Messiah?
Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah 61:1-11
Heather – great encouragement to hold all as sacred. Work, love, life, kids, volunteering at the school garage sale or on the worship team – all is sacred. Eugene Peterson speaks of “living our questions” in lieu of simply finding answers. As I read your blog, I was once again stirred to think about how living our questions opens us up to a broad possibility of how God might answer us verses having tunnel vision for the answer. Keep it up. michael
I love the concept of “living our questions.” God typically has a big picture to paint for us and we do tend to revert to tunnel vision, focusing on one aspect. We can miss so much! Many times there isn’t one answer, but layers of answers. “Living the questions” challenges us to consider and question more deeply. I love it! I’m so glad you shared that, Michael.
Heather what a great message this week.(were you at my house last night?) I had this conversation with my daughter-in-law regarding this very thing. Several months ago we were praying that the lord find a different position at work so she could spend more time at home with family especially her daughter.a job came available & she took the job. It ended up a position she does not like. She does not particularly like sitting in front of a computer all day. She said maybe I was mistaken about God wanting me to take this job. I told her ok first of all what do I usually suggest you do (yes I’m a broken record) read Jeremiah 29:11. I think it was not a mistake since I believe that God puts us where he wants even if we zig zag a little. What have you learned, she learned more than she realized & she will not have to wait 6 months to change positions! Shes right where God wants her and she has invaluable information & understanding of stroke patiets along with forgiveness & understanding of a difficult situation she faced. She will be back with ICU patients & their families where you can see God’s love in her eyes & compassion in her words & her touch. So a little detour yes but it was God’s plan. I myself have learned to embrace God’s detours because it always seems to work out to glorify God!
Ha ha! Don’t you love it when God meets you where you are! I just love God’s timing. Yes, we do zig zag around at times. God is the master career manager. He sets us up in different experiences that build upon each other, preparing us for our future. I’m so glad He knows the future and grooms us for it! What wonderful advice: embrace the detours! Thank you for sharing, Susan.
Heather, thanks for a much needed message. I too, had a similar understanding, but was able to reach a similar conclusion. I really like the Great Commission’s transliteration which encourages, “as you go through the world, make disciples (learners)…”
Thanks for weighing in, Russ. It’s always nice to know that someone else has had a similar experience. I’m so glad you brought up Matthew 28:19-20! It’s so powerful! I have to include it here in the International Standard Version: Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age.”