People Who Have Come Alive

I was provoked to deep thought last night after reading my friend Alicia's latest blog entry. She spoke of her husband Casey's reactions to his first seminary class, which also happened to be the same class that Wesley and I have--Systematic Theology I. The word he used to describe the class was refreshing. The word I used to describe the class when we got out? Boring.

I've spent a lot of time, and will probably continue to spend a lot of time, reflecting on this. What does this mean? It could mean a variety of things, the most probable being that Casey is just more spiritual than I am. Or maybe it was just your typical first class that is never very riveting, no matter the topic. However, another possibility I've been pondering has to do with how God wires us to be stimulated in different ways. Casey was refreshed by a syllabus explanation and a theology lecture--praise God! My husband is refreshed by listening to hours and hours of John Piper sermons and blogging about the effect of naturalistic worldview on Christianity (don't believe me? see for yourself)--praise God! My friend Jessi is refreshed by caring for babies in a small African village--praise God! Me?

...me?

How am I refreshed? What causes my heart to well up, "especially grateful," as Alicia eloquently stated, "for what God has done"? It wasn't our ST lecture, that's for sure. If I'm willing to be honest, I just can't share the feelings that Alicia blogged about--even though I spent a lot of time this morning reflecting on them and convincing myself that I would feel like that if I wasn't such a wayward, lazy, hard-hearted sinner. And believe me, I am all of those things! But I've come to the other side really desiring to examine the way God has made me, and to find out what brings me the most to life. I love this quote: "...don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that. What the world needs most are more people who have come alive."

I truly believe that. To make that quote more truthful, the world needs more Christians who are truly alive. What the world doesn't need are cookie-cutter believers who feel as though they have to be just like everyone else around them. Be y.o.u.--God loves who you are! He delights in what refreshes you, no matter how different your passions may be. After all, He is the one who wired you that way!

It's at this point that I feel the need to insert a disclaimer, lest anyone think that I'm another Joel Osteen, here to preach a gospel of optimism and God's favor. Remember when I said I was a wayward, lazy, hard-hearted sinner? Well, you are too. And without the gospel to renew and restore you, how do you expect your passions to be things in which God delights? Without the gospel I'd be passionate about one thing--myself. And since I'm stuck in this flesh (an unfortunate setback), this is where I fight my battle. I have to get out of bed every day and refuse to set my sights too low--refuse to be so easily pleased that I could honestly think for one second that this life is about me. And that's the beauty of the grace of God--it steps in, at just the right time, and rescues me from myself. And God, in His infinite mercy and kindness, reminds me of who I am in Christ--His beloved. O, the wonder of it all!

So when I've been rescued from myself and had my mind renewed by the truth of God, I am free to search my heart and find what truly makes me alive. And then I'm free to take that knowledge and run with it, using my gifts and focusing my passions, willing to "spend and be spent" for the sake of His kingdom.

I think we all need to do this. Take some time, set your mind on things above, and examine your heart. What excites you? What refreshes you? How can God use those things to further His kingdom?

A word of warning: don't read this post about excitement and refreshment and think that the Christian life is an easy one. Don't believe for a second that it's meant to be carefree or comfortable. Learn what makes you come alive--and then spend every ounce of your energy doing that (whatever it may be) to further the gospel. It's not about us. It's about Christ and His glory. We should reserve the utmost seriousness and determination for this goal: that His name would be known and His glory would be displayed among the nations. It is to that glorious end that we labor.

...

Let me end by saying, however, that I was challenged by some of the things Alicia wrote, namely this statement: it takes a sort of intense discipline to focus for 3 hours, and glean things from a familiar text, and familiar idea; but if you succeed, the reward is a renewed mind, and a heart especially grateful to God for what he has done. Well said, my friend. I have taken this to heart! Even though I was not necessarily "refreshed" by that theology lecture, I humbly recognize that I have so much to learn. How could anyone be on this campus and not take advantage of the superb teaching and countless examples of faithful lives well-lived? May I make the most of this incredible opportunity and be willing to be stretched and challenged in new ways.

Along this line, Alicia linked to a fantastic article on doing seminary well. It's a must-read!