Gifted for Leadership

Comments

Kirsten,

You won't believe this! I hopped online and read your post seconds after finishing my own reading of Sider's book. I just had to leave a comment! I've been reading a lot of books about justice and poverty this year as part of my seminary training, and Sider has definitely been one of my favorite authors on the subject. Thanks for your challenge.

Posted By: Amy | March 31, 2007 7:19 PM

I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your difficulties. Sometimes we get the impression from teachings on passions that when we find them and set them free that we will find ultimate happiness and fulfill our calling. What I have learned, as you have pointed out, fulfilling our passion and God's purposes isn't always problem-free, easy or blissful. We need only look to Biblical heros and Jesus Christ himself to see that fulfilling God's purposes isn't trouble-free. Still all had an underlying faith in God with the accompanying peace you mention.

Posted By: Rosalie G | April 1, 2007 12:27 AM

I appreciate this encouragement. It speaks to me right where I am. I have had a deep desire to be in full-time ministry since I was a child. However, over the years various things kept me from pursuing that. I am now at a place where I feel ready. I know what my gifts are. I know what I am passionate about. I am on the cusp of making some significant decisions about restructuring my job, etc to allow more time for ministry.

As I think about making these major changes, one of the things I have had to battle is fear of failure. My passion for ministry touches at the root of my deepest longings; some part of me is afraid if I go after my dreams, nothing will come of them. That I will fail God somehow. Or, God will fail me.

I also struggle with guilt. Its not rational, but I feel guilty for indulging the gifts God has given me. They tend to be more "thinking" gifts--teaching, writing, counseling/exhorting. There is always this voice that tells me I am not doing anything worthwhile unless I am living the martyr's life in some God-forsaken place.

I tend to doubt that my passions are God speaking (or yelling, as you said) to go for it. I keep praying lately, "Are you sure God?" Maybe I should take it on faith and make the leap.

Posted By: Karen | April 2, 2007 12:13 PM

We've just been having a great conversation about "desire" over on Seedlings in Stone. People seem to have a real need to work through the whole issue of desires and passions.

Here's the link, for anyone who wants to hear further thoughts on the subject...

http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/2007/03/desirous.html

And, I'm glad you shared how the repression of your desires led to depression. Surely, we can't always follow our hearts without constraint, but we can't bury everything either... lest we find ourselves in a dark place of bondage and pain.

Posted By: L.L. Barkat | April 2, 2007 4:41 PM

I appreciate all the encouraging comments to my post. I have been struggling, however, with a feeling that there are probably several people who have not commented, but are really struggling with the post. I know there are people who know their passion and would LOVE to devote their lives to living it out, but just can’t because of life circumstances. I think of people the single mom who just has to put food on the table or the mom who has had to devote her life to caring for a sick child and I just want to cry, because I realize how incredibly blessed that I am that I have been able to devote my life to my passion. That is a true luxury and I know that. I pray that someday God will give those women the opportunity to do what their heart so desires!

Posted By: Kirsten | April 3, 2007 8:42 AM

Its true that being able to spend life, full-time, living out one's passions is not always possible. It is a privilege. Though, I like to think there are seasons in life where we may have increased opportunities. For example, the kids will eventually grow up, allowing new possibilities.

I am not able to subsist financially at this point doing my passions, but I try to find ways to incoporate who I am in whatever it is I am doing. For example, one thing I like to do is write, so a co-worker and I proposed a 8-page newsletter to distribute across the campus at the university I work at. It focuses on issues pertinent to our department, and is a helpful resource to the campus in general. It allows me to play editor and writer--even though its not in my job description.

I know a single mom who loves to reach out in the community. Even though she works full-time, she found places that allowed children to volunteer, and she and her young son often volunteer together at the food pantry or other places.

Another single mom I know was a student I worked with. She moved here from a foreign country, is deaf and relied on sign interpreters for her classes, plus had a toddler. It took her a little longer, but she graduated and is now in graduate school pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist.

There may be different seasons in our life that we will be able to devote full-time to our dreams. In the meantime, I think our passions will leak out the sides one way or the other. And we can capitalize on our circumstances--finding ways to incorporate our passions wherever we happen to be in the moment.

Posted By: Karen | April 3, 2007 2:59 PM

Thank you Kirsten for your last comment. There are many many women, myself included, that have had deepest desires thwarted for many reasons. At on point, I had to choose between living in peace with my husband or pursuing my passion. My committment to my husband, to live in peace and love and respect, was the closer walk with Jesus than striving to get my way. Desires are funny things, similiar to vision. On one hand, all of us need passion and vision. On the other hand, pursuring passion and vision at the expense of people, relationships, and community is very questionable. Plus, our culture, tells us we have the "right" to have our desires fulfilled. We need to weigh very carefully the commandments of Jesus-especially love, sacrifice, and self-denial.

Posted By: trisha | April 3, 2007 4:27 PM

I am encouraged with your website. I have this desire in me which is to help the under prevledged in society, like the kids, and women, I have been involved before with the street kids as a volunteer and at the center for orphans. My desire is really to start a home for the homeless, a school at the same school a center where women will be able to bake, do cookery, needle work, gardening etc.

I feel fulfilled when I help the helpless. My heart always goes to these people.

PRAY WITH ME. I have told God that he should open a way for me.

In His services and for Him.

Gertrude.

Really encouraged with other women who are working for God.

Posted By: gertrude | April 4, 2007 1:33 AM

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