little itty bitty me.... big, majestic Him...

*NOW PLAYING:*
Song: "Who Am I"
Artist: Casting Crowns
Album: Casting Crowns
Quote: "...not because of who I am, but because of what You've done... not because of what I've done, but because of who You are..."
* * *

When we ask, God delivers...

I was finally able to take in a 7:22 service... this one from a few weeks back: "Part 3: Finding & Embracing God's Purpose". I am so thankful for having this 7:22 service to minister to me... Oftentimes, I feel like my church really doesn't tailor to what I'm going through or issues that arise at my age group... one contributing factor is that we still don't have an english pastor. My church only started a university fellowship about a month ago. So for me, having a worship service tailored for college/university students and around that age group that speaks to me at my level is a blessing... heheh, even if I must experience this worship service via online streaming video (they're stationed in Atlanta). Not to mention, as a worship leader, it's a great worship resource for learning new songs and listening to the latest in modern worship from the Passion band. Gotta love their stuff... heheh.

A few posts back, I decided to voice (in writing) a common frustration that we're all probably facing: about how tough it is to discover what God's will for our lives is and if the current path we're on is the one He designated. Strange enough, the speaker (Louie Giglio) begins to speak about exactly what I was questioning.
Even as he recalls his life experiences as examples, they are strangely similar to what I'm struggling with right now. Funny how God works...

Here's my recap:

The speaker spoke about how God cares less about what I'm doing in my life, but cares more about who I am in my life. He cares less about my accomplishments, my job, school, what I'm doing... but more on who I am as a person.

1) God wants me to be connected with Him and to love Him.

Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

The speaker uses the analogy of trying to find our way in an unfamiliar city. Would we rather God give us a map and directions?..... or would we rather Him guide us by the hand?

2) Who God wants me to be a person of character who looks just like Him.

Romans 8:28-29 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son..."

God wants to shape me into the character of God... something I can't do myself... and takes some work for the transformation to take place...

God wants to build my character with:
1) Eternity: An eternal perspective and motivation that guides us in everything I do.
2) Humility: "It's not my story, it's His story." Walking humbly with God... saying "You're God, I'm not. Thanks for letting me in on Your story."
3) Integrity: Doing what is right.
4) Responsibility: My response to my mistakes.
5) Service: Serving the people around me just as Jesus served.
6) Generosity: Has nothing to do with what I have, but has everything to do with my attitude towards what you have. It's not just about money.
7) Faithfulness: Being faithful and saying "God, shape me."

The speaker uses the analogy of Play-Doh... (yeah, that funky coloured stuff most of us played with as kids) and how it symbolizes our lives... it might be flattened, cracking, dried up, dirty, there could be other colours mixed into our own from making it pure... but it's not a question of what I'm going to do with it... but more a question of am I willing to place it into God's hands?...

Final answer? God wants me to BECOME a child of God first and foremost...to be devoted to Him and allow him to shape my life into His likeness... rather than focus on "what job will I be getting?" or "what will this degree bring me?"... but more focus on seeking Him and getting to know Him more. Allowing God to mould me.... placing life in his ever-capable hands... and the questions will fade away...