One-Thinger

Ref: Philippians 3:12-14

The time has come. I’m going all in on this. You will get the watch. Whether I go bust or it actually happens, I will report here as honestly as I know how.

Over the past few weeks I’ve renewed my sincere prayer about finding a community of faith in my real world associations. The vision has been glowing in my dreams of standing before a group and teaching the Word in the flesh. It’s the only reason I live; I’m quite willing to die for that.

In response to that request, the Lord has told me I must go all in. I have to dismiss all the other interests I’ve ever pursued. This driving purpose must order all things in my life. Everything I do must flow from that purpose, and contribute back to it.

When I ride my bike, it’s always with a primary interest in preparing for serving the flock. Whatever computer technology I mess with, it has to serve that one mission. All the things I can claim about myself mean nothing outside of the call to lead the sheep. I’m required to be watchful that I set aside all the other interests and activities that have pulled at me since birth.

It’s not that there is nothing else to talk about, but that those things matter only insofar as they support that one, all-consuming mission calling. And I have to ensure that I always operate under the assumption that God will make it happen.

At the same time, I have to dismiss all the academic ministerial training I’ve received over the years of my life. Those methods and means have brought forth a religious system that does not answer the call to follow Christ. Everything has to be reevaluated in light of what I’ve learned from God outside of that system. I’m not going to build a congregation using those models of influence. It has to be a total divine miracle.

I’m going all in on this. Let’s see how it works out.