Christian Versatility

Right now, is a time in my life in which I have more opportunity to serve God than I have ever had before. It's strange though, because it's when God has given me great responsibility that I wish I could just worship. Just escape to a remote area and pray and worship God. Unfortunately, the Christian life doesn't precipitate comfort. On the other hand, I frequently endure periods of extreme silence and pray for adventure. I am a Christian schizophrenic. It's interesting that in the very depths of my existence, I fervently desire the presence of God, but I bar His entrance from my life. No matter where I am, Christ thrusts Himself into community with me, but immediately I turn and attempt to traverse another pathway. Always looking for God. Always looking.

In contemporary Christianity we focus with urgency upon direct action. I often wonder if we lack the correct perspective. Around the country conferences are held, retreats are managed and mission trips transpire, oftenly with the sole purpose of inspiring action in the individual. Not that this is wrong in the slightest, but maybe there's something more to be done. How can a person hope to change the world for Christ, if he doesn't love Him? Although acting under the authority of God could lead an individual to come closer to Him, maybe the better road is the one less travelled. After all, the new Christians are often the most passionate. They have not yet lost themselves to mere action. When a person comes to Christ, goes out and proclaims the gospel with every waking breath, it is because he understands. He understands the significance of his freedom in bondage. How often evangelism is stressed but passion is put aside! To accomplish God's work is to love the heart of God.

Walking with God is simple, but sitting with Him requires hard work. Becoming a versatile Christian is difficult, because it necessitates patience. When there is time: time to study His Word, time to worship. You need an extraordinary well of patience to wait for the adventure of the faith. But when God lays work: always present, tension-building, never ceasing work at the doorstep, founding oneself in hope can seem impossible. So, in effort to never sit with God. In some vain attempt to always vacillate between the extremes we forget to sit with God in the moment. In God's omnipresence we are always looking for Him. Always looking. The brave, courageous few sit and let Him lead. As for them, they remain in Him. Always finding.

It's in the times of solitude I want to praise God with my noise and when I've made my clamour, I desire to fall on my knees at the top of some forgotten mountain. But still God meets me where I'm at, even though I've shunned all versatility.