I want to be a secular musician, a hymn writer, a theologian (or at least a serious student of theology), to study Communication and Literature (my majors) at a graduate level. I want my hobbies to include photography, linguistics, and studying abroad. I want to immerse myself in all kinds of theological and philosophical books, but at the same time, I want to be a person who gives invested time to others. I want to be a beer/wine/cigar connoisseur and an art/music critic. I want to become well trained in the culinary arts. Some aspects of taking Geology this semester have made me want to spend some time at a dig site in the middle east...
That list only scratches the surface. One of the most freeing things about Christianity is that you can take any number of those things and live a fulfilled, Christ glorifying life. But you can't do it all. Lately I have been questioning why I want to do those things...any and all of them. A phrase from Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life keeps coming back to my head...
Just one life, twill soon be past
Only whats done for Christ will last
Only whats done for Christ will last
It's my responsibility to separate these desires. I must decide what my abilities and gifts are and how they can be used for the sake of the Kingdom. Everything else is just arrogance. It is my desire to feel accomplished when I look at myself in the mirror...rather than seeing a reflection of the glory of God shown in a sanctified servant of the Kingdom.
1 comment:
The first few pages of Walker Percy's novel "The Last Gentleman" stunned me with 1) a neat metaphor -- a guy looking through a telescope (which offers a very narrow field of view), and 2) a description of the character who had come to a freeing realization of his purpose. I can't remember how it was put, but something like "he no longer believed that all possibilities lay open to him." I was gobsmacked. As a guy with a range of abilities and interests, I know how the possibilities can truly seem overwhelming.
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