Gifts and Passions

Once upon a time, I asked a bunch of students "How do you know what God wants you to do with your life?" It was a question I had asked myself MANY times over the months prior. I explained to them that God uses many things to show them and call them. One of which is passion. What are you passionate for?

Another was talents. What talents has God given you?

The last was gifts. How has God gifted you?

It was easy for me to discuss this, seeing as I had already finished my undergrad and was doing what God called me to do, however, I remember those unsure times in my life prior to college, and even sometimes in college. I know that God has gifted me with the ability to explain. I like to use large words in conversation, not to make me look smart, but because I have the word in my vocabulary. However, when teaching, that makes it difficult, because the students don't always know what the word means, therefore I have to explain it.

I am a teacher at heart. I long to teach people, to pass on knowledge that I have gained, whatever the subject matter or task, and I love to teach Scripture above everything else. It is one of my greatest passions.

I also love to write. One of my dreams, which has never been spoken before now, is to publish a novel or short story. Why? I have no clue, it is just something I have wanted to do for a long time. Writing and teaching Scripture have been the two most constant things I've wanted to do. I know God has called me to youth ministry, and I couldn't be happier doing it, but I still have this burning desire to write. So, I do. Mostly short stories and most longer stories never get finished. I have about 5 or 6 ideas written down that I could work on, but I haven't finished one yet.

I know this is quite random, and if you have stayed this long you are probably thinking, "Who cares!?" Well, I say this because God has shown me what I am to do, and as I said, I enjoy teaching, so my question to you is, what is that God is calling you to do? Let your talents and passions be a guide, but weigh those against your gifts, because it is in your giftedness that God uses you most.

Worship.

I want your opinions, but please be civil. What I will say is simply some things that have been billowing up in me for a few years, and I have just now found the proper words to express what I am feeling.

Today, I discuss music; "worship" music, actually. While at camp this last week, I figured out what it is about our corporate worship songs that bother me. We put them all under "praise and worship" or "hymns," correct? However, I propose that there is a third genre of our corporate worship songs: songs of prayer.

Here is why I say this: praise and worship songs are the term we have placed on the newer songs, however, what is praise? And what is worship? Praise is giving glory to God for the things in our lives. Worship is us telling God how worthy He is to recieve our praise. Hymns are the songs in the blue (sometimes red or black or green)books in the back of the pews that most people tend to ignore, nowadays. A hymn, though, is a song that gives praise and glory to God for what He has done.

You are probably thinking: "I know all this. What is your point?"

My point is this: what do we do with songs like "Amazing Love" that focuses mostly on what we are doing? I'm not saying that we should not sing it, quite the opposite. I just think that songs that focus on our response should be put under the "prayer songs" genre. When I think worship songs, my thoughts jump to songs like "Cannons" by Phil Wickham and "Glory to God" by Fee.

I know this may just be a discussion of semantics, but it's something that I've thought about a lot. What do you guys think?

Ryan's Song

Tears come and go, but memories stay.
Fears ebb and flow, but grace remains.
Love wins. It conquered death and hell.
Death fails. All it did was make you well.

So rest now. Your fight is over.
Rejoice now. Your pain is gone.
We will miss you. A thousand times over.
But rest now. You're finally at home.

Breathe deep. Let the air fill your lungs.
Run fast. Your legs will never tire.
Ride far. As far as you want to.
And sing loud, so all the angels hear you.

And rest now. Your fight is over.
Rejoice now. Your pain is gone.
We will miss you. A million times over.
But rest now. You're finally at home.

I know we'll see you soon.
Life's but a fleeting glance.
In your heavenly afternoon,
We'll gather round and dance.

But rest now! Your fight is over.
Rejoice now! Your pain is gone.
We will miss you. A billion times over.
But rest now. You're finally at home.