“Personalities… Commitment… Consecration!”
“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24.
* People have different personalities. There is the old classification of type A and type B. In this theory, personalities that are more competitive, outgoing, ambitious, impatient or aggressive are labeled Type A, while more relaxed personalities are labeled Type B. Lately there are other classifications where 16 types of personalities are described… I will not give you a description of each one of them. I will just say that there are types that like making decisions (J's) and types that keep their options open (P's); types that like details (S's) and types that look at the forest instead of the trees (N's); types that choose based on emotion (F's) and types choose based on logic (T's); types that talk a lot because they think out loud (E's) and types that talk less often because they think before they speak (I's). There are other theories, but I will not bore you with this… If you are interested in understanding these theories better, please research it, but for now, the point for me is simple: Even though we are all created by God, we are all unique – Our differences might consist in small nuances, but we are all “original works of art.”
* Still, in our uniqueness we are all called to be part of something greater than ourselves, greater than our personalities. We are called to be part of God’s family – the Kingdom of God. Being type A or B, or having one of the 16 types of personalities will not grant us a different status with God. What grants us the condition to be part of God’s family is our faith-relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. On the other hand, we are also called to serve God and to be engaged in His purpose for this world and for mankind.
* I do understand that every person is unique and pursues different interests. Usually people try to pursue interests, careers and a lifestyle that matches their personality. When that does not happen satisfaction in life seems to be difficult to attain.
* So, let me get to my point before I ramble on too far. In the same way we all have different personalities we are also gifted by God to accomplish the goals He has set for our lives. I personally believe that we, as believers in Jesus, are gifted by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the plans God has for us. And since we have been called to be engaged in the work of the Lord according to our gifts, we want to do it well. We want to consecrate ourselves to His purpose. Commitment to what we have been designed to do.
* "Will you please tell me in a word," said a Christian woman to a minister, "what your idea of consecration is?" Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, "It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will." God truly knows best what and how we can fulfill our calling. So, no matter what your personality is, no matter what your gifts are, use them to serve God and His church. Get into the community you live in and be who you are, bringing Christ to the lives of others in creative ways.
* One thing you may not do if you are a believer in Jesus, is to ignore the work of the Lord and decide not to follow your calling or do it in Jeremiah says: “Cursed are those who refuse to do the Lord’s work”. Jeremiah 48:10. Actually the original tells us that cursed is the person who does the work of the Lord without caring about it.
* We are called to excellence. We cannot be addicted to mediocrity especially when it comes to the work of the Lord. The work the Lord gave you? Be a light in this world, be salt! Raise a Christ-centered family; be an excellent worker by following your vocation; be a dedicated & wonderful church member; participate in worship & Sunday school, contribute your gifts, talents, time and financial resources to the work of the Kingdom and church sacrificially… BE AVAILABLE TO SERVE!
* There are so many things to say about this topic… but I will stop for today. One final thing… No matter what your personality, no matter what your gifts… USE THEM TO SERVE THE LORD. Never say… “Sorry... someone else can do that… I have other things to do!”
* Think about it & walk with Jesus.
Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag
“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24.
* People have different personalities. There is the old classification of type A and type B. In this theory, personalities that are more competitive, outgoing, ambitious, impatient or aggressive are labeled Type A, while more relaxed personalities are labeled Type B. Lately there are other classifications where 16 types of personalities are described… I will not give you a description of each one of them. I will just say that there are types that like making decisions (J's) and types that keep their options open (P's); types that like details (S's) and types that look at the forest instead of the trees (N's); types that choose based on emotion (F's) and types choose based on logic (T's); types that talk a lot because they think out loud (E's) and types that talk less often because they think before they speak (I's). There are other theories, but I will not bore you with this… If you are interested in understanding these theories better, please research it, but for now, the point for me is simple: Even though we are all created by God, we are all unique – Our differences might consist in small nuances, but we are all “original works of art.”
* Still, in our uniqueness we are all called to be part of something greater than ourselves, greater than our personalities. We are called to be part of God’s family – the Kingdom of God. Being type A or B, or having one of the 16 types of personalities will not grant us a different status with God. What grants us the condition to be part of God’s family is our faith-relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. On the other hand, we are also called to serve God and to be engaged in His purpose for this world and for mankind.
* I do understand that every person is unique and pursues different interests. Usually people try to pursue interests, careers and a lifestyle that matches their personality. When that does not happen satisfaction in life seems to be difficult to attain.
* So, let me get to my point before I ramble on too far. In the same way we all have different personalities we are also gifted by God to accomplish the goals He has set for our lives. I personally believe that we, as believers in Jesus, are gifted by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the plans God has for us. And since we have been called to be engaged in the work of the Lord according to our gifts, we want to do it well. We want to consecrate ourselves to His purpose. Commitment to what we have been designed to do.
* "Will you please tell me in a word," said a Christian woman to a minister, "what your idea of consecration is?" Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, "It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will." God truly knows best what and how we can fulfill our calling. So, no matter what your personality is, no matter what your gifts are, use them to serve God and His church. Get into the community you live in and be who you are, bringing Christ to the lives of others in creative ways.
* One thing you may not do if you are a believer in Jesus, is to ignore the work of the Lord and decide not to follow your calling or do it in Jeremiah says: “Cursed are those who refuse to do the Lord’s work”. Jeremiah 48:10. Actually the original tells us that cursed is the person who does the work of the Lord without caring about it.
* We are called to excellence. We cannot be addicted to mediocrity especially when it comes to the work of the Lord. The work the Lord gave you? Be a light in this world, be salt! Raise a Christ-centered family; be an excellent worker by following your vocation; be a dedicated & wonderful church member; participate in worship & Sunday school, contribute your gifts, talents, time and financial resources to the work of the Kingdom and church sacrificially… BE AVAILABLE TO SERVE!
* There are so many things to say about this topic… but I will stop for today. One final thing… No matter what your personality, no matter what your gifts… USE THEM TO SERVE THE LORD. Never say… “Sorry... someone else can do that… I have other things to do!”
* Think about it & walk with Jesus.
Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag