Monday, February 7, 2011

head above water...


Since Saturday night I have felt that the Lord has, for some time now, been attempting to remind me to remind others. Of His love. Of His grace. That He is there and willing to save. I had forgotten to build remembrances for myself along the way. I now see that without them, I am incapable of distinguishing clearly those valleys which Christ has protected me through as well as those mountains in which He has empowered me to clime. Without images, memories and relationships of remembrance I not only forget where I'm going, but I grow unaware of that which I came. I oddly felt as though for the first time, the Lord is beginning to show what it is that I am good at; through revealing to me which things I adore and how they coincide with my spiritual gifts. Through a great deal of prayer and confusion I have come to the rather unexpected conclusion that the Lord desires for me to develop some practical skills for His glory. For too long now I have romanticized pastoral ministry(not to say that it isn't the best thing ever, for it may very well be; for those who have been called by God; to which I may or may not be) and made it the only option for myself; somehow feeling as though I would be a lesser believer if I don't one day end up as a preacher. I know this to be foolish thinking although it is a rather difficult mindset to shake when your entire academic existence is wrapped around studying scripture. Lately I simply feel as though the Lord is saying: "Nick, pursue what you love and do it to the best of your ability for My glory." Oddly enough I am currently praying to further hone my skills in the field of photography. I have no clue what this might look like, but I have a passion for photo, a deep desire to learn and I am in dire need for an avenue to practically share the Gospel. Please be praying that I could come up with some cash for a good Camera. I know that is a rather trivial prayer request(in view of the condition of the majority of the world) but I'm really trusting in the Lord to provide, seeing as it is He who has placed this desire upon my heart. I've got nothing really figured out these days, and somehow I wouldn't have it any other way. I suppose I'm perfectly fine with keeping Christ on the throne.

10 comments:

  1. N ::

    what a knack for reality you have. His reality. I believe everything we do has some spiritual surrounding - because we are both physical and spiritual beings. What we do isn't solely physical. Whatever you do for the Lord, will surely edify the church and invite the Holy Spirit into whatever you are doing with a mind set on Him. This sounds sooooo silly but I feel like sharing it with a fellow photographer ::

    Often times, while on a photo op, I will nonverbally pray. I love that the spiritual side to that gives me reason to believe that demons are cringing as I walk by. haha. but really.

    Praying for you brother and the amazing desires He has placed in your heart for His purpose.

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  2. Nick! I don't know if you read my latest blog or not but I have totally been where you are and it talks a little bit about that! Thinking for the longest time that working in a church, being a worship leader, etc was the only way for me to fulfill my call to "ministry". I finally came to the realization that the passions that God has put inside of me are there for a reason...and to use that as an avenue for His glory! So I've pursued becoming a hairstylist and this is now my "ministry". It's been the best decision I have ever made and God's hand has been with me every step of the way.

    I just wanted to share this with you as an encouragement to pursue those things that God has placed on your heart. He always opens the right doors, closes the wrong ones, and guides us each step of the way. I will be praying for you...and that God is glorified in whichever direction He ends up taking you! =)

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  3. This reminds me of the runner who felt God's pleasure as he ran. The best way to glorify God is to BE the unique creation He made you to be, and He gave you passions like photography for a reason!

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  4. I've got a Canon Rebel Xsi that I really only use for special occasions, If you wanna borrow for however long or until you find one that you want... feel completely free to do that. I would love for it to be used for Jesus. My number is 949.280.5628 if you're interested.

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  5. Wow! thank you guys so much for your encouraging words! Caydin and Charity you both spoke so much truth through your posts. I truly savored each of them. Brook it is soo weird that you would mention that quote because it actually hangs in my bedroom. And lasty Shea I am utterly speechless because that is the exact camera I've been praying to one day purchase. I feel extremely blessed by your offer and would love to take you up on it sometime. I'd also love to offer you some money for allowing me to borrow it. I can't just simply accept something that great without benefitting you somehow. Thank you so much. Such a God thing. Unreal. Love it.

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  7. oh stop it. you don't need to pay me, I'm honestly so excited it'll get used! call me or text me if you'd like it before Saturday, but if not I'll bring it then! how wonderful and insanely rad is our God haha.

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  8. Thanks Nick,
    definitely going through some similar things.
    Praying for you bro

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  9. really awesome that God leads and provides.

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  10. I think you're so on the right track. I first felt "called" into ministry when I was in junior high. I went back and forth over whether or not that call was real because I just couldn't wed my understanding of a pastor with the things that I really longed to do. All I have to say is that God is really faithful. Really, really faithful.

    It may be photography. It may not. But God will keep speaking and nudging as long as you keep moving and trusting.

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