Thursday, December 23, 2004
2. Has it been confirmed?
It is possible to believe you’re called to function in a specific way and yet not be received.
However, if the calling is genuine there will usually be a corresponding open door accompanied by others seeing that the calling is complemented by natural capacities and spiritual gifts.
Jesus saw rudimentary skills of fishing as the seeds of apostolic evangelism.
A couple of decades ago I was approached by a believer who informed that “he” was called to lead worship in our congregation.
This is how the dialogue went:
“I am called to lead worship, here.”
Can you sing?
“No.”
Can you play any musical instrument?
“No.”
Have you ever done this before?
“No.”
Why are you ordering me to receive you as a worship leader?
“God told me.”
I’m sorry, but I disagree.
At this point, the person’s face became astonished, sullen, resentful, offended and accusatory.
Now, it is always possible that I missed God. It is feasible that if I had allowed this person to lead the worship team that God would have miraculously given that person a voice and musical aptitude.
What if the exchange had gone like this?
“Pastor, I have something I’d like you to consider. I can’t sing, or play a musical instrument, therefore this seems highly unlikely, but I believe that God has called me to lead worship here. Perhaps, despite my natural inabilities we could experiment and see if God confirms it.”
Maybe… maybe the interchange would have gone like this:
It does seem highly unlikely. However, you really believe God has spoken to you?
“Yes.”
You realize that it may not work?
“Yes.”
You’re willing to suffer possible humiliation if it doesn’t work?
“Yes.”
Would you be willing to try this in a couple of months, not right away?
“Yes.”
Well, in that case, what do we have to lose? Let’s give it a try. In a few weeks, come to a musician's meeting and we'll see what happens.
Arrogant unrealistic hyper-spirituality is seldom looked upon favorably by leaders.
If a person is called to a specific function, they will begin a confirmation process that begins with humility.
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It is possible to believe you’re called to function in a specific way and yet not be received.
However, if the calling is genuine there will usually be a corresponding open door accompanied by others seeing that the calling is complemented by natural capacities and spiritual gifts.
Jesus saw rudimentary skills of fishing as the seeds of apostolic evangelism.
A couple of decades ago I was approached by a believer who informed that “he” was called to lead worship in our congregation.
This is how the dialogue went:
“I am called to lead worship, here.”
Can you sing?
“No.”
Can you play any musical instrument?
“No.”
Have you ever done this before?
“No.”
Why are you ordering me to receive you as a worship leader?
“God told me.”
I’m sorry, but I disagree.
At this point, the person’s face became astonished, sullen, resentful, offended and accusatory.
Now, it is always possible that I missed God. It is feasible that if I had allowed this person to lead the worship team that God would have miraculously given that person a voice and musical aptitude.
What if the exchange had gone like this?
“Pastor, I have something I’d like you to consider. I can’t sing, or play a musical instrument, therefore this seems highly unlikely, but I believe that God has called me to lead worship here. Perhaps, despite my natural inabilities we could experiment and see if God confirms it.”
Maybe… maybe the interchange would have gone like this:
It does seem highly unlikely. However, you really believe God has spoken to you?
“Yes.”
You realize that it may not work?
“Yes.”
You’re willing to suffer possible humiliation if it doesn’t work?
“Yes.”
Would you be willing to try this in a couple of months, not right away?
“Yes.”
Well, in that case, what do we have to lose? Let’s give it a try. In a few weeks, come to a musician's meeting and we'll see what happens.
Arrogant unrealistic hyper-spirituality is seldom looked upon favorably by leaders.
If a person is called to a specific function, they will begin a confirmation process that begins with humility.
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