Ministry

John 15:16-17

16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Recently this passage has definitely taken on a new meaning to me. I have always wanted to teach, and recently more so teach people about the Bible and how to live like Jesus. Well today I realized I'm doing that in Gainesville. I have a ministry here. It's weird to say that. People come to me asking questions about faith and Jesus and the Bible. They ask me. Weird. A bunch of people I have never really talked to about faith are talking to me about Jesus and it's awesome, but it scares me at the same time.

I know this would not have happened at this time in my life if I wasn't ready, but at times I really don't feel ready or adequate. But God chose me. That's crazy. It's obvious all this stuff that has been happening in my life is due to God and it's awesome. I thank Him and praise Him for it whenever I think about it. But I am still broken. I still and will always have questions. So I guess I'm writing this entry to ask for prayer. I need more of God and less of me.

The first verse that came to mind when I realized this was James 3:1 and my next thought was dang.

James 3:1

¹Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Which raises a whole a new group of questions. Judged by who with greater strictness? God? People? Both? Anyways it's scary but so exciting at the same time. It's a new thing in my life and I love it and it's definitely all from God. All this made me think of something I read in Rob Bell's book yesterday. " I see communities embracing their brokenness and the brokenness of their leaders, and healing is taking place." I don't really see myself as a leader, but I guess some people think otherwise. And I am thankful for that. But I am still broken. So again I just ask for everyone's prayers. If the Lord is blessing me and thinks I'm ready I must be. Praise the risen Son for he is working here in Gainesville.

I wish this thing could pass from me
But I’m wanting what You want
So bring me high and bring me low
Just hold me in Your love

Charlie Hall