Ok, so I’ll get to the title in a minute, but this is a blog about my future, or at least my thoughts thereon. Let me preface this by saying don’t worry: This is not a distraction from the here and now for me. Now that I will be home in less than two months, the realization of the waining of this season of my life has pressed the necessity to live “in the moment” ever more strongly on my heart. That said, during a conversation with a leader in Mexico who participated in FYM, the equivalent trip last year, he spoke of how some of his teammates were still floundering to find a place and purpose months after their return home. The just of his advice was, “Even now, two weeks into this trip, you should consider what life will look like with it’s all over. Don’t let it be a distraction, but realize that this trip is not an eternal arrangement. The things you learn on this trip, God intends for you to use when you return, no matter what path you choose.” So, here goes nothing…
On this trip, I have now preached more times than I can count. (Let me stop here to explain that when I preach, I really just teach. Yes, there is a great deal of passion behind the things I am saying, but I don’t yell and scream from the front of the church as many pastors in the U.S. and here in Africa are apt to do. People who do that freak me out. You yell at me, and I don’t listen; after a certain decibel level, I just shut down. I’m not sure if that’s always an appropriate response, but Oh well… I’m not one of those people). At first, preaching made me nervous, and I’m sure the people listening to me could tell. But now, it really brings me to life- I love it, and I’m always eager to share what God has taught me or placed in my heart. A few weeks ago in Homa Bay, I preached on our attitudes towards non-Christians (basically what is in my blog “Big Brother Syndrome”) and then about relational ministry. Wow! I have never been so fired up to share with anyone in any forum. And, this past Sunday, I preached in Sindo on relational ministry, how the work of the kingdom can really be anything that brings reconciliation to any part of creation (basically what is in my blog “To Reconcile All of Creation”), and how the gospel is not based on systematic theologies, but rather is wholly relational (Systematic theologies are useful for our understanding, but they tend to remove any relational aspect from the gospel, which to me is very prominent). So, all of this has got me thinking about Howard Washington Thurman’s quote, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. Then go to that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Teaching the word of God certainly does that for me. It’s food for thought…
But, what tends to complicate my situation is what Kathleen diagnosed me with this past week: Intellectual ADD. It makes sense, really. I have a lot of academic interests: Biology (Genetics, Ecology, Marine Biology), Geology, Meteorology, and Political Science. The list could go on. And just the time that I think I’ve decided upon one, another recaptures my attention. I’m really not sure which on to pursue- they all capture my interest, but the real question is, “Which one captures my interest enough for me to pursue and study it for the rest of my life?”
I’ve had teaching and/or being a teacher prophesied over me multiple times, and I am certain that I will be teaching in some capacity in the future. The question simply is, “In what capacity?” Is it to be a full-time minister in the American church? Missionary? Get a PhD and be a professor, which has been my desire from some time now? If so, in what area of academic pursuit? Does God really care exactly where I am, or does he leave the specifics up to me as long as I serve him wherever I go? And above all else, despite all of the previous answers, how can I help bring the reconciliation of the Kingdom of Christ wherever I am?
“God, please guide and direct my paths. Please show me the way you would have me go, and if you leave it up to me, please show me how to further your kingdom, serve you, and love your people no matter which path I take.”
“The Lord is my shepherd…He leads me…He leads me…”
Psalm 23:1-3
Be faithful brother. I’m excited to hear the direction God takes you. Keep this in mind: either get a definitive word from the Lord on your direction, get a definitive NO from God, or assume He’s letting you make the call. If that’s the case, live faithful and let Him redeem the time. Proud of you brother!
Kyle, you & I have that “yelling” thing in common. God assures us many times in His Word that He will lead, even when we may not “see it coming”. (Ps.32:8,Josh.1:9,Mt 6:33-34). It is evident that you are already on the right path because you walk with Jesus. It continues to be such a blessing to share your journey through your blogs. In His love,
You have so many interests and aptitudes, and God has a plan to use each and every one of them to build his kingdom, but perhaps not at the same time. Don’t worry. If you are trying to walk with Jesus and obey his word and his spirit (as I know you are), you will be right where he wants you in the future as you are now.