I’m challenged. I’m frustrated. I’m convicted.
Not necessarily by anything going on around me. Nope. But, honestly, by the prayers of today’s Church. I might add that this also includes me. If we were to pause a moment and consider the context of the 1st-century church, we might see how weak some of our prayers are. Instead of nonbelievers listening to our prayers in wonder and astonishment, they may leave scratching their heads in bewilderment.
I’m not exactly sure about how to start this post. I’m at a loss for words. What’s the right way to start a confession? How do you do “transparency” correctly?
There are aspirations–certain ideals–that Christians hold to and attempt to live up to. There are verses that are waved as banners while arriving at some level of spiritual maturity. John gives us one of these verses.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30
It all sounds good. It somehow fits into our Christian cookie jars and makes it onto the front of our refrigerators. However, it’s really not that simple. I experienced it once…and it drove me to bitterness.
Paul tells the church at Philippi that there is a privilege of suffering (Philippians 1:29). Wow. There are a lot of mixed emotions with that one. If I was to be honest, it’s not something I look forward to. I’m not sure anyone does.
It’s a strange feeling indeed to sense a disconnect from all that you’ve spent your life working towards. A career, an identity, a talent nurturing…all of it. Yet, here I am, and there it all goes.
Growing up in the technology space during the 80s, there were a few companies that a wide-eyed, hopeful teen would dream of working for. Microsoft was one of those companies on a very short list. Though I had been an entrepreneur for years–starting a few technology companies–the possibility of being a part of such a company never escaped me. Then, six years ago, I got that chance.