Anyways, during the interview, the pastor was telling him a story about a recent event he spoke at at Ferrum College. While there, he asked the students the following question....
"If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?" -- Hmmm..... I wasn't there but I imagine that the questions sounded something like this
- Why did my ________ die?
- If you are a just God, then why does my sweet innocent child suffer every day?
- How do we acheive world peace?
- What job should I have?
- Why am I battling with addicition/depression/eating disorder(you fill in the blank)
- Why do terrible things happen to good people?
- Why can't we find a cure to cancer or a solution to fight terrorism?
The pastor continued to explain that when the students were done asking their question, he responded that the if he were sitting face to face with God, he would want to know only one thing;
What do You want?
WOW! A four word sentence that asks the most important question..... "What, God, do you want from me?"
Ever since Caleb told me this, I can't get it out of my mind.... I keep coming back to it. I keep praying and talking to God about it. That question is so simple and yet so complete....
I am at a point in my relationship with the Lord, where I am trying to live each day and each moment for His glory. I recognize and know that my physical body is only my temporary home and that everything, including my life, is His.
When I die, I want my life to count....not for my glory or my benefit but for the glory and benefit of Chirst. I want to know that God was able to impact the world because of my willingness and obedience and surrender to Him and His plans....
This question has challenged me to think about how I approach ministry... how I approach the church. The answer to this question is not a mystery.... its not locked up in some hidden treasure chest on a deserted island that can never be found.
God desires the salvation of ALL people! He desires EVERYONE to be in a relationship with Him. If that is His desire, if that is His want, then it must become ours too. It must become our passion and our mission as well. That doesn't mean that all men should quit their jobs and go preach or that all we should all pack our bags and head to Africa or China or Trinidad.
It does mean, that sharing Jesus Christ with others is the purpose and the mission of the body of Christ. Nothing short of Him is going to change people's lives! Nothing! If we profess to be Christians, and desire to walk in the will and spirit of God, then sharing the Gospel is necessary!
Our church, our ministry, our families, our lives should be centered around our relationship with Christ and our committment to sharing the Gospel with others and asking God to use us to bring people into relationship with Him. At the end of this life on earth, that's what matters!
What would happen if more Christian leaders and more Churches were focused on that mission? What would happen if more people were asking that question "God, what do you want?" I know that is where I want to be. I know that I want to be in a church that is about reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am desperate to live a life in need of that Gospel and in desperate desire to show others their need for it too.
