Is there a dream in your life, an unquenchable passion that burns within your heart to do something for God? Or perhaps it’s something you merely deem “a good idea” but you haven’t done anything to make it happen?
What’s stopping you?
This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I listened to Dr. Randy Carlson talk on the radio about the importance of responding to the calling in our lives. “God has given us different gifts,” he said, “but it’s up to us to use those gifts to bless others.”
The Apostle Paul explained it clearly, We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8, NIV)
Somebody once told me only I can do whatever God had called me to do. Only I. What a sobering thought! As I understand things, no one is irreplaceable, yet nobody else can do what I can because: 1) God called me to play a specific role in His Kingdom, and 2) Someone else might be able to play the part, but they won’t do it the way I can, because only I can do it the way I do things.
Imagine anyone else playing Riggs in “Lethal Weapon” other than Mel Gibson. Could you picture anyone but Julie Andrews play the part of “Mary Poppins”? Anyone but Bogart and Bergman in “Casa Blanca”, John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever”, or Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump”?
Maybe someone else could’ve played those roles, but it just wouldn’t be the same.
Church is a great place to springboard your dreams into reality. There are ministries already in place where you can play a vital role and develop your passion. On the other hand, there are also many opportunities for great ideas to take shape and blossom.
Take my friends Monique and Lequetta, for example. Years ago, they saw a need to offer an evening Bible study for women. At that time our church only had a morning Bible study. They felt that working women were missing out, so they talked to Thora, our Women’s Ministry Pastor, and with the help of a few volunteers they began what is now called “Girl Talk” our Women’s Evening Bible Study.
Patty Quaid – those who know her will chuckle – is always on the go, but she wanted to lead a prayer group. So she started a small group that met at church, after work hours (she manages our church’s bookstore). The group walked around the church campus. As they walked they shared their needs with each other and at the end of their walk they prayed for one another.
Mike and Kathy Ritches wanted to do something for homeless people in Phoenix. In their own words, “What started out as a small blanket giveaway in the inner city during the winter time has grown into a much larger blanket, personal hygiene, clothing, and food distribution accompanied by a free hot dog lunch.”
For years my dream was to teach God’s Word to women. God in His faithfulness and mercy has opened up multiple doors for me to do so. But I would’ve never had seen this passion fulfilled unless I’d acted upon it. First, I started helping clean up after our Women’s Bible Study. Then I served as a table leader. Then I started leading a Small Group. Then I was asked to share my testimony during one of our Women’s Ministries events. Imagine my surprise one happy day when Thora asked me to teach one of the lessons at our Bible Study? And she didn’t even know that had been a dream of mine for so many years!
What is your passion? And what is stopping you from acting upon it?
As I said before, our church offers many opportunities to get involved and to serve. But if you want to put your own particular dream in motion, we will equip you with the basics to get you started. On our website: http://vineyardnorthphoenix.com click on “Upcoming Events”, then scroll down and click on the link “VCFNP Leadership Track” to get information on how to become a leader at the Vineyard.
If you don’t have Internet access, you can get a copy of the brochure at church, at the display that hangs on the wall between Rooms A and B.
Whatever idea tugs at your heart, big or small, I encourage you: Do not discard it! Talk with other friends about it and pray for God’s direction. Believe in your dreams! For God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)
Have a little faith in yourself and go for it!!!
