Aren't You A Full-Time Christian?

HIGHWAY CHURCH Family Camp 2017 (Photos by Robin Malherbe) 

We've just come back from our annual, 3 day family Church camp. We had a great time doing fun stuff together and getting to know one another better. My kids especially loved it!

If you are not a particularly social person and tend to avoid such camps, then let me plea to you as a parent- camps are incredible for kids, especially Church camps where they get to see families doing life together; loving Jesus 24/7. What a privilege that my kids get to grow up with opportunities like these! (And really, what a privilege for me too!)

On our camp, a visiting pastor and dear friend, asked who feel that they are called to 'front-line' ministry. Front-line or full-time in our circles refer to people who want to become pastors or preachers or missionaries.

And almost everyone responded: "yes, they feel called..."

How super duper exciting! It is exciting because in our consumeristic culture, many people are too comfortable to care. In most Churches, only a handful feel they are called or even consider it as a possibility.

But as exciting as it may be, there is also a perception that being called by God to be a pastor or missionary is more holy, more elevated, better positioned, a better use of time (take your pick) than a life- and that means, paying bills, doing laundry, disciplining kids, date-nights with hubby and so on- dedicated to Christ.

'Front-line' ministry has been given celebrity status on the Christian circuit. 

How many of us would've responded in the same manner, if the pastor asked: "Who feels called to be Jesus' witness by changing diapers, driving kids around and cooking dinner for the next ten years?"; "Who feels called to be the best mid-level manager, working hard to put food on your family's table so that you can invite folks over once a week to talk about Jesus?"; "Who feels called to be at the same company for the next five years with a five minute opportunity around the coffee machine to share something of Jesus to the lost?"

We are all called. Called to follow Jesus. (Isn't that what the term "Christian" means?) We are called today, with whatever we do, to bring Him honour. To make His name known. To be OBEDIENT. That is front-line: right here, right now. 

It is the "frontest" you are ever gonna get in the line today! ;-)

Mat 7:21  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (listen & obey; knowing Jesus; walking closely to Jesus). On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'  "Everyone (moms, children, business men, students etc.) then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

A dedicated life is more holy than a mediocre facade-only front-line ministry. 

p.s. It is not bad to desire to be used by God in a "full-time" capacity, but sometimes, we can easily forget that we (are) can already be used by God. It is more of a time thing. We have today only once. We need to make today count, regardless of being the great preacher or worship leader or women's minister that we dream of being. And interestingly, it often seems to work that God brings about a greater influence (however that may look) as we are faithful in what He has given us today.


Do I view certain callings as holier or more important than others?

Does my life count? 
Not 

[ordinary     VS    extraordinary] 

BUT RATHER 

[Jesus centered; Bible directed      VS        Self centered; convenience&comfort directed].


A few more illustrations:
We sat with a couple in our living room once: the wife was falling apart and bawling her eyes out. She was not coping with a new baby in the home. But she was unwilling to let go of her gifting (aka 'calling'). She would rather settle for an unhealthy marriage and an unhealthy home environment than to give up the thing that she loves doing. God gave it to her, right? And so she has a right to time to exercise this gifting. 

Sounds logical. Sounds fair. But it is selfish. And such behavior in the long run, will cause a lot of damage.

Have you ever thought about this: Jesus was fully man and fully God. He could've been the best at whatever He wanted to be the best at. He could've decided that music was His 'thing' and end up being the greatest rock star ever! He sure had many giftings. BUT. BUT, HE ONLY DID THE WILL OF THE FATHER. And that was, not only to lay down His life but also, to lay down His giftings, His desires, during His life on earth. Sometimes, I wonder if God does not deliberately give us a gift- something that we can find joy and fulfillment in- and then expects us to lay it down for a season so we can find our fulfillment in Him. Just a thought...

Many years ago, I too, had to make a choice regarding giftings and calling. In my early 20s, I was invited by a lady who has an international women's ministry to go with her to America and Europe, and assist in preaching, teaching, ministering and prophesying. But I knew, that despite my giftings and personal desires, that my marriage was not in a good place. If I went, it would be the end of my marriage. I chose to stay and fight for my marriage. Because that was being obedient. 

What!? Pass on such an opportunity? No, man, Liezl, surely your Christian husband would want you to follow God's calling on your life?

To be quite honest, I never asked my husband because it really had nothing to do with him. I knew God said not to go. And I had made a covenant with God to take care of my husband and put my marriage first. Sure, I could've ended up with some world-renowned ministry (uh...not), but what would be the point if I gain the whole world's applause but disappoint my King? It is His applause that counts and often, it comes with making the unpopular choice. 

So much fun! Do the things we did as kids. Community. NO COOKING!! (The camp food was outstanding, thanks Cyara Campsite in Magaliesburg.) God commissioning. Connecting. Doing life together. It was on one such camp a few years back that my kids learnt to play chess. See, there are plenty of reasons why one MUST go on a Church camp and none not to go ;-)