For about two months now one of the things Ive been praying consistently is for opportunity to serve God. I moved here from Texas where I was a "worship leader", an intern in a school of ministry, learning and ministering constantly. I was a leader in a youth group, I had shows (musical) every single weekend and outreaches. I was constantly busy and serving. So when I moved to Chicago I pretty much started from the bottom. (no pun intended)
I have no friends, I have no shows, Im not in school, and whatever else is exceedingly different about my life here in Chicago. Because of such the turn my life took I started off really frustrated, in tears, praying to God to give me an opportunity to serve and glorify Him. "Anything, anywhere, I'll take anything!!" I'd cry out hating my down time.
Ive recently been reading the book The Pursuit of God by AW Towzer -Wow! What a gem! You should really check it out!- And upon reading the last chapter, always so bitter sweet, The Lord really altered my heart and mind on this distressful matter. I was dividing my life into secular and Spiritual portions not understanding that I can glorify God, even in the seemingly small acts, throughout my everyday life.
In the Old Testament God set up sacred days, and times, clothes, foods, dates, and places. He needed to teach the people that He alone was holy and to be praised. That the people were to fear and reverence Him! But when Jesus died on the cross as our atonement, the veil of the temple was torn top to bottom, representing the divide between us and the holiness of God, open freely to all. (Matthew 27:51) Inviting and commanding us to worship in "Spirit and in truth" (John 4:21, 23, 24) Now there is no divide in holy days and times, clothes, acts, and places. For example, the building is no longer the church, but the believer itself is the church. There are no holy clothes to wear, or a certain place where we should pray, a certain food we should eat on a certain day. We just LIVE as an act of holy worship. As long as my heart is in the right place, anything can be worship to God.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31
Do I still want to serve my local church, evangelize in the streets and at shows, use my gifts to worship the Lord? Very much so! But upon realizing all I just told you, I am a bit more satisfied knowing just because Im not doing all those things every week like I want to be, just because the Lord has me in a season of stillness, doesn't mean I am not glorifying God at all. I can glorify Him by cleaning up the house, cooking my godparents dinner, or just reading a book, when my heart is bent to glorify God. And for you, just going to work as a laborer, a lawyer, or a check-out boy, can all serve and glorify Christ although you may FEEL other wise. Also, all the other seemingly small things. Keyword: seemingly.
Through much prayer and renewing of our minds we need that secular/Spiritual divide to be taken down in our lives. And Im not talking about the dualistic "integrity" of being a Christian and living like one that we think of, and most refer to, when talking about a secular/spiritual divide. Look at Jesus -the perfect example- everything He did was unto His Father. His mind wasn't only on glorifying just when He was healing or praying, but always. There was no divide in His heart depending on the act or motion. And it starts when the eye of our heart, our affection, is fully turned towards God.
**DISCLAIMER: Yes, ALL can be done to the Glory of God, but not all things are equal. Evangelizing will do more damage for the Kingdom than planting a garden will, although both are equally pleasing to God with the right heart. This in no way exempts Christian from going out and being the hands and feet of Christ. It just breaks the divide between the Spiritual and secular living. Our lives, as Christians, should not be so easily divided, EVERYTHING should be done in Spiritual awareness to the Glory of God.
Too much love,
HJ
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